National Endowment for the Arts Grant Withdrawn Due to President’s ‘Priorities’

While the NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) announced Moonshot Initiative as a grantee in January 2025, the grant funding was ‘withdrawn’ by the current administration.

In January, we shared the news with our community that Moonshot Initiative was one of the National Endowment for the Arts’ 2025 Grants for Arts Projects recipients. The NEA put out a press release, announced Moonshot as a grantee on their website, and had recipients sign contracts.

Unfortunately, earlier this month, the NEA emailed Moonshot Initiative — along with many other grant recipients — to say that our funding recommendation has been withdrawn and that the NEA will no longer award funding for our project.

“The NEA is updating its grantmaking policy priorities to focus funding on projects that reflect the nation's rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President. Consequently, we are terminating awards that fall outside these new priorities,” the letter stated.

The $25,000 NEA grant would have supported Moonshot’s film challenge (previously known as Women’s Weekend Film Challenge), offering professional development to women and gender expansive filmmakers.

As stated in the NEA letter, “Funding is being allocated in a new direction in furtherance of the Administration's agenda.”

As an organization dedicated to gender equity, diversity, and professional development for underrepresented populations, we were under no illusion that our mission fit the current administration’s agenda. We knew there was a strong possibility that our promised funding would not come through.

However, we still held out hope that, as our grant was already announced, we might receive the funding in 2025, even if we had no hope of receiving it for the rest of the president’s term.

Unfortunately, we are now facing a $25,000 shortfall in our 2025 budget. As a grassroots nonprofit, this grant amount was significant, and we were counting on this promised funding to offer our intended programming.

How is Moonshot Initiative responding to the grant withdrawal?

We have already written to the NEA in an attempt to appeal the decision. We are also in touch with our local government, as their office is fighting on behalf of nonprofits in the area that are losing funding.

We are looking for funders, foundations, individual donors, and other grantmakers who are passionate about our mission and want to uplift organizations that have been impacted by this sudden funding withdrawal.

How can I help?

1. Become a Moonshot Member. One of the biggest ways that our individual community members can help is to become a Moonshot Member. By building a robust membership, we can ensure that we have a steady source of funding that’s immune to the whims of the government. Plus, having a significant, engaged community makes it easier for us to attract other grant funders. For just $12 a month (or less than $10 a month when billed annually), you get a ton of discounts, perks, and access to resources and workshops — all while helping a nonprofit you care about!

2. Share our call for donations. Do you know someone who wants to see a more inclusive landscape in the film and television industry? Please share our call for donations. We are 501(c)3 non-profit, so all donations are tax-deductible.

3. Take advantage of your company’s donation-matching program. Does your employer offer to match employee donations? We are set up on most employers’ matching donation platforms, such as Benevity, Bright Funds, and Your Cause. Reach out to team@moonshotinitiative.org if you need assistance contributing with a donation match from your employer! You can find more information here.