Federation of State Humanities Councils
The Federation of State Humanities Councils is a public charity based in Arlington, Virginia, and the national membership organization for 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils. Founded in 1977, it supports, connects, and amplifies the work of those councils through advocacy, member services, partnerships, and shared initiatives.
Federation of State Humanities Councils at a glance
In short: Federation of State Humanities Councils gave $12.6M across 71 grants in 2025 (avg $178K), top state Kansas. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,631,250
- +9045.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 71
- +1320.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $177,905
- +544.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $200,000
- Total assets
- $4,007,878
- +89.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Kansas (2% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Federation of State Humanities Councils
- Contact
Mailing address: 1530 Wilson Blvd 340, Arlington, VA 22209
Phone: (703) 908-9700
Website: https://statehumanities.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Federation of State Humanities Councils funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Humanities Kansas ($271K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
78 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 35 grants of 78 (45%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Federation serves the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils, including members in Washington, DC and U.S. territories and jurisdictions. Its 2025 grants included recipients in multiple states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 71 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Federation of State Humanities Councils gives
- Giving grew 102593% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $262 (2021) to $12.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 71 grants totaling $12.6M.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Humanities Alliance Birmingham, AL | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Alaska Humanities Forum Anchorage, AK | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Arizona Humanities Phoenix, AZ | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| California Humanities Oakland, CA | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Florida Humanities St Petersburg, FL | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Indiana Humanities Indianapolis, IN | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Humanities Kansas Topeka, KS | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Kentucky Humanities Lexington, KY | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities New Orleans, LA | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Mass Humanities Holyoke, MA | Mellon Foundation Subgrant for General Operating Support | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Federation’s 2025 filing separately describes a one-time $15 million grant received for emergency council operating support. That funding received is distinct from the $12,631,250 in grants the Federation reported giving that year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,007,878 | $17,891,277 | $15,445,730 | $12,631,250 | 71 | $41,523 |
| 2024 | $2,119,950 | $1,844,589 | $1,776,698 | $138,111 | 5 | $30,749 |
| 2023 | $1,826,518 | $1,608,567 | $1,640,829 | $3,821 | Total only | $55,496 |
| 2022 | $1,707,248 | $1,523,726 | $1,564,095 | $12,300 | 2 | $44,559 |
| 2021 | $1,672,955 | $1,107,693 | $1,171,439 | $262 | Total only | $42,924 |
| 2020 | $1,134,986 | $3,096,346 | $3,000,538 | $1,774,781 | 43 | $29,977 |
| 2019 | $2,382,184 | $3,136,337 | $3,052,002 | $1,534,423 | 46 | $37,690 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Federation’s mission is to advocate for increased investment in and engagement with the national network of humanities councils, and to support, connect, and amplify members’ work and voices. Its stated focus areas include congressional advocacy, partnering with the National Endowment for the Humanities, building and expanding council resources, and centering equity through internal organizational work.
The Federation supports councils through member convenings, training, information exchange, advocacy resources, and national initiatives. Its 2025 grants included $250,000 awards for general operating support to state humanities councils. The grantees describe their work in varied ways: Humanities Nebraska helps Nebraskans explore what connects people and makes them human; the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities partners with communities, institutions, and individuals to explore the state’s past, reflect on the present, and imagine the future; and the Vermont Humanities Council uses the humanities to connect people and foster just, vibrant, and resilient communities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Federation reported 71 grants totaling $12,631,250. Grant amounts ranged from $21,250 to $250,000, with a median of $200,000. The largest listed grants were $250,000 each and were described as Mellon Foundation subgrants for general operating support.
Among the 2025 recipients were Alabama Humanities Alliance, Florida Humanities, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, Mississippi Humanities, Nebraska Humanities, North Dakota Humanities Council, Vermont Humanities Council, and Wyoming Humanities Council, each listed as receiving $250,000. The Federation also reported emergency operating support for all 56 state and jurisdictional councils following the termination of federal operating grants in April 2025.
The Federation monitors grant funds by communicating requirements to grantees, setting documentation timelines, compiling reports, and submitting reports to grant sources.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Eva Caldera as chair, Paxton Williams as immediate past chair, Mark Miyake as vice chair, Miranda Restovic as secretary, and Kevin Lindsey as treasurer. Directors listed are Carin Berkowitz, Jama Best, Shawnrece Butler, Adam Davis, and Juana Guzman.
Federation of State Humanities Councils is led by Phoebe Stein, President on every filing since 2020; 3 of 20 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Phoebe Stein
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$102K (2020) → $175K (2025)
Eva Caldera
Chair
Member → Director, 2020
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joy Hickey
Director of Finance & Operations
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2025)
Theresa Worden
Director of Engagement & Impact
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$111K (2025)
Chris Sommerich
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juana Guzman
Director
Director → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leo Pangelinan
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carin Berkowitz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jama Best
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Ortiz
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Rudnik
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Davis
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nashid Madyun
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Lamascus
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawnrece Butler
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Price
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paxton Williams
Immediate Past Chair
Director → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Lindsey
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Miyake
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miranda Restovic
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (37)
- Former: Endawnis Spears (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: John Phillip Santos (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Sherry Paula Watkins (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Stuart Rockoff (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Terri Jett (2020–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jim Burke (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Brenda Thomson (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: David Pettyjohn (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: James Burke (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Susan McCarthy (2019–2023) — Imm. Past Chair
- Former: Eva Caldera Director (2023) — Oct. & Then Chair · Filing note: Until
- Former: Juana Guzman Director (2023) — Oct. & Then Secretary · Filing note: Until
- Former: Kevin Lindsey Vice Chair (2023)
- Former: Paxton Williams Chair (2023)
- Former: Terri Jett Director (2023) — Oct. & Then Vice Chair · Filing note: Until
- Former: Kimberlee Kihleng (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Matthew Gibson (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin Lindsey Director (2022) — Nov. & Then Vice Chair · Filing note: Until
- Former: Bill Tsutsui (2019–2021) — Imm. Past Chair
- Former: Gloria White Gardner (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Jeffrey Allen (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Julie Fry (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Brenda Thomson Director (2021) — Then Secretary
- Former: Paxton Williams Director (2021) — Then Chair
- Former: Susan McCarthy Chair (2021) — Nov. & Then Imm. Past Chair · Filing note: Until
- Former: Esther Mackintosh (2019–2020) — President
- Former: Joan Abrams (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Steven Seibert (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Jim Burke Director Then (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Paxton Williams Treasurer (2020)
- Former: Armand Dekeyser (2019) — Director
- Former: Briann Greenfield (2019) — Director
- Former: Julie Ziegler (2019) — Vice Chair
- Former: Ken Egan (2019) — Legislative Chair
- Former: Peter G. Torkildsen (2019) — Past Chair
- Former: Peter Gilbert (2019) — Director
- Former: Thomas Chavez (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $175K, to Phoebe Stein (President). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Federation of State Humanities Councils
How much does Federation of State Humanities Councils give each year?
Federation of State Humanities Councils gave $12.6M across 71 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $138K across 5 grants.
What is Federation of State Humanities Councils's typical grant size?
Federation of State Humanities Councils's median grant in 2025 was $200,000, and its average grant was $177,905, across 71 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Does Federation of State Humanities Councils give general operating support?
Yes: 76% of Federation of State Humanities Councils's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (54 of 71) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Federation of State Humanities Councils's largest grantees?
Federation of State Humanities Councils's largest 2025 grantees include Humanities Kansas ($271,250 across 2 grants), Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities ($271,250 across 2 grants) and Mississippi Humanities ($271,250 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 6% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Federation of State Humanities Councils?
Federation of State Humanities Councils reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.9M.
What does Federation of State Humanities Councils fund?
The Federation’s mission is to advocate for increased investment in and engagement with the national network of humanities councils, and to support, connect, and amplify members’ work and voices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Federation of State Humanities Councils?
Federation of State Humanities Councils has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check statehumanities.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
Where does Federation of State Humanities Councils make grants?
The Federation serves the 56 state and jurisdictional humanities councils, including members in Washington, DC and U.S. territories and jurisdictions. Its 2025 grants included recipients in multiple states.
What is Federation of State Humanities Councils's EIN?
Federation of State Humanities Councils's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1409894. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 7, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS July 23, 2024)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Federation of State Humanities Councils funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/federation-of-state-humanities-councils-morg_3d1a19701d29428096c0c094de6fca18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351409894_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Federation of State Humanities Councils funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/federation-of-state-humanities-councils-morg_3d1a19701d29428096c0c094de6fca18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Federation of State Humanities Councils's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Federation of State Humanities Councils down — hundreds of funders to go?