Step 1: Find your elected officials
Before calling, find your California State Senator and Assemblymember by visiting:
https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Enter your home address, then the tool will show you your State Senator and Assemblymember. Click on each official’s website to find their Capitol or district office phone number. We recommend calling both offices and asking them to support Senator Ben Allen’s $6 million budget request for California Humanities.
Step 2: Call your elected official’s office before May 11
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY/NEIGHBORHOOD]. I am calling to ask [SENATOR/ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME] to support Senator Ben Allen’s budget request for $6 million in emergency gap funding over three years for California Humanities.
California Humanities is California’s federally recognized humanities council partner to the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more than 50 years, California Humanities has supported museums, libraries, cultural organizations, documentary filmmakers, community-based nonprofits, youth media programs, and public humanities projects across the state.
This funding is urgently needed because California Humanities has faced severe federal funding uncertainty. NEH funds designated for California through California Humanities were unexpectedly terminated, resulting in the loss of $4.7 million, or 87% of the organization’s annual budget. Although the termination was later rescinded, California Humanities is still receiving less than 50% of what Congress approved.
Senator Allen’s request would provide $2 million in FY 2026-27, $2 million in FY 2027-28, and $2 million in FY 2028-29, administered by the California Arts Council. This bridge funding would help stabilize California Humanities, protect public humanities programming across the state, and give the organization time to diversify its revenue and secure additional philanthropic support.
As a [constituent / community member / grantee / partner / supporter], I urge [SENATOR / ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME] to support Senator Allen’s $6 million budget request for California Humanities.
Thank you for your time.
Optional personal note
If you have worked with California Humanities or received support from California Humanities, please add a brief personal story. For example:
California Humanities has supported [NAME OF PROJECT / ORGANIZATION / COMMUNITY], which helped [BRIEFLY DESCRIBE IMPACT]. This work matters because it helps Californians tell their stories, connect across differences, and preserve the cultural and civic life of our communities.
If no one answers, leave a voicemail
Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I live in [CITY]. I am calling to ask [SENATOR/ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAME] to support Senator Ben Allen’s $6 million budget request for California Humanities.
California Humanities has faced severe federal funding uncertainty and urgently needs bridge funding to continue supporting museums, libraries, cultural organizations, youth media, documentary projects, and public humanities programs across the state.
Please support Senator Allen’s request for $6 million over three years for California Humanities.
Thank you.
