Our Guiding Principles

Accountability

We take responsibility for our journey of becoming an equitable organization and commit to taking action for positive change in all aspects of our work with members and external stakeholders.

Inclusion

We expand access, remove barriers to participation, and intentionally invite participation from historically marginalized people and all communities.

Service

We serve members by providing valuable resources, guidance, information, expertise, convenings, and advocacy that reflects their diverse interests, needs, and concerns.

Transparency

We invite shared decision-making and collaboration through openness and clarity with our stakeholders.

Understanding

We participate in active listening, purposeful interactions, and reflective practices.

History

Since its founding in 1977, the Federation of State Humanities Councils has been committed to providing leadership, advocacy, and resources to help members advance programs that engage millions of citizens across diverse populations in community and civic life.

2023

  • The Federation moves its offices to 1530 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 340, Arlington, VA, an inviting space located just outside of Washington, DC.
  • The Federation and the National Humanities Alliance are able to increase the number of National Humanities Conference Equitable Access Grants to 30.

2022

2021

2020

  • The Mellon Foundation Awards the Federation $1.96 million for “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation”.
  • Awards to 43 councils for programs exploring civic participation as it relates to electoral engagement in a multivocal democracy.

2020

  • Phoebe Stein appointed president.

2019

  • The Mellon Foundation awards the Federation $150,000 to continue “Humanities in American Life”.

2019

  • The Mellon Foundation awards the Federation $1.75 million to continue “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative.

2017

  • The Mellon Foundation awards the Federation $1.7 million for “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative.
  • Awards to 49 councils for programs examining relationships among democracy, the humanities, journalism, and an informed citizenry.

2016

  • Federation partners with Pulitzer Prizes to launch Centennial Campfires Programming.
  • Awards to 46 councils total more than $1.5 million for grassroots programming in celebration of the Pulitzer’s Centennial.

2015

  • The Federation and the National Humanities Alliance initiate a partnership to co-host the annual National Humanities Conference.

2004

  • Esther Mackintosh appointed president.

1998

  • Gail Leftwich Kitch succeeds Jamil Zainaldin as president.

1994

  • Amerika Samoa Humanities Council was formed.

1990

  • Northern Marianas Humanities Council was formed.

1989

  • Humanities Guahan was formed.

1986

  • Federation’s headquarters moved from Minneapolis, MN, to Washington, D.C., and Jamil Zainaldin is appointed president.

1982

  • The Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities (now the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities) wins the first Schwartz Prize.

1977

  • Humanities Councils vote to form the Federation of State Humanities Councils with Steve Weiland as president; decision is made to have the Federation headquarters in Minneapolis, MN.

1971

  • The Federal/State Partnership Office at NEH was created as the liaison between the NEH and the state and jurisdictional humanities councils.

1970s

  • The first 51 humanities councils are formed, including Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

1965

  • President Lyndon B. Johnson signs the National Arts and Humanities Act, creating the NEH.