Cultural programs across Alabama threatened by slashed federal funding have received a significant lifeline with two gifts to help them continue operation.

Philanthropist Hugh Culverhouse Jr. has donated $250,000 to the Alabama Humanities Alliance to sustain the nonprofit’s programs. That’s the biggest single gift from one individual in AHA’s history.

At the same time, the Mellon Foundation announced emergency funding to support humanities councils around the country. AHA will receive $250,000 in support from the $15 million national grant.

“It’s a reflection of the fact that we and other state humanities councils around the country have been doing this work for decades,” AHA executive director Chuck Holmes told AL.com. The work we do is not political. That work we do is human.”

The Culverhouse gift sets a new high bar for gifts from individual donors over the Alliance’s 50-year history.

“Obviously, we are most grateful for the support of Mr. Culverhouse, as we are from all of our donors, because it is going to help us continue the work we do throughout the state,” Holmes said.

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency earlier this month ended federal funding for all 56 state and territorial humanities councils. AHA’s 50-year partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities was severed and created a crisis.

Federal funding accounted for 65 to 70 percent of the state organization’s operating budget.

As a result, the Alliance suspended its statewide grantmaking that Alabama nonprofits depended on for local public programs.

Holmes said he is grateful for the total $500,000 in support. AHA remains focused on a long-term plan for survival, he said.

“This and the generous donation of Mr. Culverhouse helps us a lot this year,” he said. “The question remains in 2026 and sustainable funding beyond. That’s the big question mark.”

Holmes said the Culverhouse donation gives the Alliance more time to find a permanent solution to the funding cuts and encourage additional private support.

“In the meantime, we have for 50 years done important work helping communities large and small and we want to continue doing that work,” Holmes said.

The Alliance last year awarded $380,000 in grants for several initiatives including storytelling festivals, public history projects, civics education and documentaries.

As a direct result of federal cuts, the group also suspended some of its original programming, including its Road Scholars Speakers Bureau which brings experts to libraries, schools and civic organizations.

“I can sit still and go ‘boo hoo’ or I can say like I’m going to help,” Culverhouse told AL.com. “And that’s what I have done.”

Culverhouse said his donation is also a challenge for others to support the Humanities Alliance.

Pointing to the Road Scholars speakers program as an example, Culverhouse said the Alliance brings amenities to every sector of the state that would be inaccessible otherwise.

“This takes the culture to poor and middle-class people,” he said. “Let’s face it, rich people hop a plane and go see whatever they want to see and do whatever they want to do. It’s up to grants from the government to provide grants for culture to the people.”

While he lives in Florida, Culverhouse is an Alabama native with deep family ties to the state. An attorney, he is the son of Hugh Culverhouse Sr., a University of Alabama alumnus and donor. The Culverhouse College of Business is named after Culverhouse Sr.

“The bottom line is, Alabama is number one with me whatever I’m doing,” he said.

Culverhouse called it imperative that people ban together to preserve institutions that celebrate and promote Alabama’s history and culture.

“I just pray that people in Alabama realize that we need this culture to continue. Otherwise, it is forgotten,” he said. “I can’t let that happen to Alabama’s culture. There’s got to be a southern accent somewhere.”