Save Federal Museum Funding

What’s at stake when we lose federal support for museums?

On March 14, 2025, the Trump administration dismantled the only federal agency dedicated to supporting American museums and libraries. As a result, museums across the country are facing uncertainty and budget shortfalls.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has provided nearly 70 million dollars in grant funding to Wisconsin institutions and 39 million dollars to Wisconsin libraries since 2010. IMLS contributed 1.2 million dollars directly to Madison Children’s Museum projects in the past decade alone. This support from IMLS helped fund the Nice Age Trail exhibit, the Wonderground, the national Caretakers of Wonder initiative, and MCM’s ongoing evaluation, community engagement, and strategic planning efforts.

As a result of this Executive Order, many beloved organizations will be forced to cut back their invaluable work in Madison and beyond. At-risk organizations include the Madison Public Library, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and Chazen Museum of Art. Without intervention, as early as March 21, 2025, museums, zoos, and libraries across the United States could see their budgets drastically reduced.

Your voice matters. Please act now to safeguard the future of IMLS and the institutions that depend on its support.   

How can we take action to save IMLS?

Contact your congressional representatives

Madison: (608) 264-5338
Washington: (202) 224-5653

Madison: (608) 240-9629
Washington: (202) 224-5323

Madison: (608) 258-9800
Washington: (202) 225-2906

Send letters and make calls urging them to protect the essential funding and services IMLS provides to museums and libraries across the country. Below is a template you can use when contacting your representatives:

Dear [Legislator],

I am writing to express strong concerns over the March 14 Executive Order targeting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). I urge you to speak up to the Trump administration and prevent them from moving forward with this damaging approach.

[STORY ILLUSTRATING WHY MCM AND OTHER MUSEUMS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU]

This agency provides essential funding and guidance for the vast collections of museums across America. They are also community anchors, supporting youth and senior citizens, serving people with disabilities, and helping veterans heal. Beyond education, museums are economic engines, providing jobs, driving tourism, and serving as community cornerstones. Museums cannot do this vital work without the support they receive from agencies like IMLS.

I urge you to speak up to the Administration stressing the importance of IMLS continuing to operate as a Congressionally authorized independent agency at its current scope, an agency that has been appropriated funds on a bipartisan basis for decades. Protecting this essential agency is critical to preserving the vital role museums play in education, the economy, and community infrastructure across the country. Support for museums is overwhelmingly popular. Research shows that 96% of Americans would approve of lawmakers who act to support museums and 96% of Americans want to maintain or increase federal funding for museums.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely, 
[name]

Learn more…

• Full text of President Trump’s Executive Order
• Information on IMLS’s mission, vision, and work
• Statement from the American Library Association:
• Video: “The World is Better Because of Museums” from the American Alliance of Museums
• Article: “Understanding IMLS’s ‘Shall’ and ‘May’ Language” from EveryLibrary Institute 

Madison Children’s Museum has lots of stories to tell. Contact our marketing department for more information.