How does the termination of federal grants affect Taos Non-Profits?
There are over 150 nonprofit organizations in Taos, ranging from those that deliver direct
services (food, shelter & clothing) to ones that promote the cultural vibe: dance, music,
literature, art, mixed media, filmmaking, theater, pottery, and beyond. The arts are a significant
draw for tourists who support our local economy by attending events, visiting museums, cultural
sites – all of which elevate the reputation our town as a desirable destination. In 2022 USA
Today selected Taos as the second-best small town in America with the liveliest art scene.
As the director of a nonprofit (SOMOS, The Place for Words in Taos – a literary organization –
founded in 1983) I can confirm the effect the termination of federal grants from NEH and NEA
have had (and will have) on our programming. Forty percent of our grant funds have been
eliminated. As a small organization with a modest budget this reduction is huge. SOMOS
provides services to over 2-3K people/year, not counting the number of patrons who visit our
bookshop. A Young Writers Program (in its 32nd year) provides mentoring, writing groups, and
writers-in-the-schools to an average of 300-500 ten- to nineteen-year-old students/year in Taos
County. SOMOS also offers up to ten need-based scholarships to youth and adults to attend
conferences, workshops, and events.
What programming will be reduced and/or eliminated in 2025-26? How many young people and
adults will no longer receive education, inspiration, and encouragement to hone their skills as
writers & poets of the written and spoken word? Critical thinking skills develop through reading,
writing, and speaking, which inform our citizenry to make wise and fair decisions for the greater
good. Expressing opinions, facts, feelings, and actions, require compassion, empathy,
knowledge, and exposure to diverse perspectives. The percentage of adults reading books has
declined over the past quarter of a century. According to a 2025 national survey conducted by
the Pew Research Center, only 64% of American adults report that they have read a (1) book in
the past 12 months. I couldn’t locate statistics on how many of those readers read more than
one book…but it isn’t encouraging.
Tough choices for the nonprofits in Taos reliant on federal funds are coming. Searching for other
revenue sources is underway. At SOMOS some contracts have been cancelled due to the lack
of government support for the near future. Like other draconian effects of the current
administration on climate change, health & safety, civil rights – and too many more to list – the
lack of financial support from NEA and NEH is devastating, resulting in Americans being less
safe, poorer, and stripped of resources that promote creativity, intelligence, and caring for
others.
Human existence and survival depend upon collaboration, community, care for ourselves, our
planet and each other. The arts have always been at the forefront during times of conflict, war,
and hardship. Necessity is the spark of innovation. I have no doubt that most nonprofits will
survive without federal grants. We will use the same skills we espouse for others.
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