In this Alliance Advocacy Alert:
- Speak Up for Museums: Congress Returns for September
- News You Can Use: IMLS Grant Opportunities
- Plan to Participate: National Voter Registration Day 2024 is September 17!
- Save the Date: Museums Advocacy Day 2025 in Arlington, VA & Washington, D.C., Feb. 24-25
Congress Returns – Speak Up for Museums
Congress returns from its August recess on September 9 for a busy few weeks before breaking from September 30 through the November 5th elections. At the top of their to-do list is the need to pass fiscal year (FY) 2025 appropriations. We are urging legislators to support at least $55.5 million for the IMLS Office of Museum Services.
As the House and Senate set the table for negotiations in the coming weeks, now is the time to contact your legislators!
Contact Congress: Support Critical Funding for Museums
In early August, the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Labor-HHS-Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill and released report language with Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) budget details, which included a recommendation of $51.3 million in FY 2025 funding for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) programs. The result, if enacted, would be a $4.2 million funding reduction of overall museum programs from the agency’s historic high of $55.5 million – a disappointing result even acknowledging the tight budget caps restraining the Senate’s FY 2025 spending. Not all programs would be cut. Some would be increased and others would remain level (See the August 2 Alliance Advocacy Alert for details). On the House side, the House Appropriations Committee approved a bill on July 10 that, if enacted, would slash funding for OMS by $9.3 million and make other cuts to IMLS. (See the July 19 Alliance Advocacy Alert for details).
Similar to previous years, Congress is unlikely to pass all appropriations bills by October 1 and is expected to require a (or multiple) Continuing Resolution(s) or CR(s) to keep the federal government operating at current levels. With ongoing partisan wrangling, there’s always some potential for a federal government shutdown. The CR is likely to extend into at least mid-December. In the meantime, it’s critical for you to keep telling your legislators to support at least $55.5 million for OMS.
NEH and NEA: In late July, the full Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill with a funding increase of $2 million for FY 2025 for each the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for a total of $209 million each. Previously, the House of Representatives passed a bill that if enacted would cut funding to $203 million for each agency. Senate and House negotiators will need to resolve the differences in the coming weeks. Please contact Congress now to urge support of at least $209 million each for the NEH and NEA.
News You Can Use
Grant Opportunities Available from IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for several museum grant programs. Museums and related organizations across the United States are encouraged to apply to the programs by November 15. See IMLS Grant Application Resources.
National Voter Registration Day 2024 is September 17
National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) 2024 is just around the corner. Will your museum be participating? AAM is a Premier Partner of National Voter Registration Day, designed to ensure every eligible voter has the information and opportunity to vote. Get National Voter Registration Day communications and registration resources (including state-by-state guides) and learn more about the additional Civic Holidays, including National Voter Education Week and Vote Early Day. Our robust Nonprofit Voter Resources provide a wide range of information about the many ways museums and nonprofits can engage in advocacy, lobbying, and permissible nonpartisan voter engagement activities. Use these free informational resources to participate and help ensure that as many communities as possible are #VoteReady and prepared to make their voices heard in the democratic process.
Save the Date for Museums Advocacy Day 2025 in Arlington, VA & Washington, D.C., Feb. 24-25
Museums Advocacy Day 2025 provides a critical opportunity with a new Congress to make the case for museums early in what is sure to be a high-stakes year for museums and other causes. Mark your calendar now and stay tuned for additional information and registration details this fall!
Your steadfast advocacy efforts make a critical difference in building needed support for museums and museum workers.
Looking to deepen your own advocacy skills this fall? Check out our comprehensive Speaking Up: Museum Advocacy in Action toolkit today. AAM Members get best pricing!
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