As the membership association for those who work in and support the work of children’s museums, ACM is committed to supporting the field through continued advocacy efforts. We know federal funding plays a critical role in supporting museums and libraries, including children’s museums, nationwide. As we navigate the recent changes to federal agencies and related grant funding together, ACM is sharing the following updates.
Given that information is changing frequently, it is possible that the updates below may change. We will note the date of each update as necessary.
Update 4/16/2025
Since 1996, IMLS has been the primary source of federal support by way of funding, research, and policy support. For reference, here is the funding landscape over the last ten years:
All Museums 2015-2024
Total grants awarded (2015-2024): 2,774
Total Award Amount: $437,591,578
Average Grant: $157,748
Total Cost Share*: $371,779, 629 (84% of total awarded)
ACM Members 2015-2024
Total grants awarded: 236
Total: $44,456,144
Total Cost Share: $40,678,597 (92%)
Average: $187,579
*Cost share requirement: Provide funds from non-federal sources in the amount that is equal to or greater than the grant amount requested. Typically, museums will use staff salaries and other operating expenses for cost share, which required an operational commitment to receiving grant funds.
Resource: Public IMLS Calculator – This calculator can used to calculate funding by state.
If you received an IMLS termination letter, ACM is encouraging museums to file an appeal with IMLS.
• Please review Procedures for Requesting a Review of Suspension or Termination beginning on p. 20.
• Please see Letter Template
• Email the appeal to Director Sonderling at ksonderling@imls.gov with copy to grantsadmin@imls.gov and IMLS General Counsel at ogc@imls.gov.
• Also use the eGMS system to file your termination appeal as it is the official record for the government.
• We have been told that it’s unclear if organizations will be reimbursed for expenses accrued prior to the date of termination. Thus, it is very important to submit all expenses accrued for federal grants prior to the date on the termination letter.
• If you have received a reimbursement for expenses accrued in February and/or March, please let ACM know.
Grant Terminations: All Agencies
• Contact your members of Congress immediately. They need to be aware of the direct impact of your grant termination. They will not know if you do not tell them. Call AND write to ensure the message gets received. AAM has set up a template you can use. You will need to add into the template as much information as possible about the grant and the impacts of losing it. During Museums Advocacy Day, we heard from many Congressional offices that they wanted to be notified if any grants were delayed or terminated for museums in their districts.
• If you have connections to Congressional staff, please contact them directly.
• Please also let ACM know if your grant has been terminated.
• Review the National Council of Nonprofits checklist “What to do when your federal grant or contract is terminated“
• Recommendations from Holland & Knight “What Recipients Need to Know if a Federal Grant is Terminated by the Government“
It can be very advantageous to inform the public, your members, and your supporters about your grant termination, both for advocacy purposes and generating greater support from the public.
• Share the grant termination with your local media. Customize this draft press release you can use to send to your local media. Below are a few examples of local media stories that have been published:
Madison Children’s Museum says federal grant for climate action plan has been terminated
Museum of the Aleutians loses significant funding amid nationwide budget cuts
Recent UVM grad heading up local history program loses her job as feds cut funding
• Draft an Op-Ed for publication in a local media. Example: The president is dismantling an important program for Alaska libraries and museums – and Alaskans. Please help save it.
• Share on social media. View an example.
• Encourage your members, supporters, and public to contact their members of Congress.
ACM has been in direct contact with our colleagues at AAM and other museum and library associations, as well as legal counsel to the museum and library sectors. Individual institutions should consult with their own legal counsel regarding next steps for their respective situations.
On April 4, a coalition of 21* state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for attempting to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services. On April 7, ALA and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the largest union representing museum and library workers, filed a suit challenging the Trump administration’s gutting of IMLS. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of ALA and AFSCME by Democracy Forward and co-counsel Gair Gallo Eberhard LLP, asks the court to block the dismantling of the IMLS as directed by a Trump executive order. The complaint argues that cutting programs at IMLS will violate the law by eliminating programs Congress has provided funding for and directed IMLS to undertake. In this rapidly evolving landscape, we continue to work with legal counsel and peer associations to evaluate the right strategy for the museum sector.
*States included: STATE OF RHODE ISLAND; STATE OF NEW YORK; STATE OF HAWAI‘I; STATE OF ARIZONA; STATE OF CALIFORNIA; STATE OF COLORADO; STATE OF CONNECTICUT; STATE OF DELAWARE; STATE OF ILLINOIS; STATE OF MAINE; STATE OF MARYLAND; COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN; STATE OF MINNESOTA; STATE OF NEVADA; STATE OF NEW JERSEY; STATE OF NEW MEXICO; STATE OF OREGON; STATE OF VERMONT; STATE OF WASHINGTON; STATE OF WISCONSIN.
