Anchorage Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia Faces Funding Crisis as Alaska Humanities Forum Loses Federal Support
The Alaska Humanities Forum, led by Anchorage Assemblyman Kameron Perez-Verdia, is facing a funding crisis after its federal funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities was terminated. The decision, part of a shift in federal priorities under President Donald Trump, has left the organization and its core programs in jeopardy.
The Forum, known for events like “drag queens for kids” and “whites not allowed” conferences, relies heavily on NEH funding to operate its programs. The organization posted a notification on its website, calling for community support to restore its funding and highlighting the potential loss of 28 years of programs that support youth mental health, cultural exchange, veteran and community conversations, writers and filmmakers, as well as grants to local community organizations.
Perez-Verdia, who is paid $181,164 a year to run the nonprofit, may be looking for another job as the Forum scrambles to make up for the loss of federal funding. The organization is required to match every dollar of federal funding, leveraging it to raise additional investment from Alaskans who value the humanities.
Without action to restore funding, the 50-year-old institution that has built local leaders, preserved cultures and languages, and served tens of thousands of Alaskans could be lost. As the community-strengthening projects supported by the Forum are at risk, Alaskans are called upon to take action to ensure the organization can continue its valuable work.
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Photo credit mustreadalaska.com
