Case: Underground Railroad History Project of the Capitol Region v. National Endowment for the Humanities
1:26-cv-00447 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York
Filed Date: March 20, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
On March 20, 2026, the Underground Railroad History Project of the Capital Region (URHP), a nonprofit that researches and preserves Underground Railroad history and its connection to contemporary social justice issues, filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. The suit named the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and other federal actors as defendants. URHP had applied for and was awarded a $250,000 NEH Challenge Grant in 2023-2024 to construct an Interpretive Center to expand its educational programming about the Underground Railroad movement. The organization alleged it met all funding conditions over fifteen months; however, following President Trump's inauguration in January 2025, the administration issued executive orders requiring federal agencies to eliminate DEI initiatives within sixty days. URHP alleged that NEH subsequently issued a directive in February 2025 to review grants for termination based on DEI criteria, leading to the termination of over 1,400 grants in April 2025, including over 100 grants concerning Black history and culture. On May 14, 2025, NEH withdrew URHP's funding offer, citing the need to align with the President's priorities. URHP brought claims alleging violations of the Fifth Amendment's Equal Protection Guarantee, the First Amendment based on viewpoint discrimination, and the Administrative Procedure Act for agency action that was contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious. The organization sought declaratory relief, setting aside of the funding withdrawal and directive, and attorneys' fees.
This case is ongoing.
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72529964/parties/underground-railroad-history-project-of-the-capitol-region-v-national/
Loewenstein, Nina (New York)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72529964/underground-railroad-history-project-of-the-capitol-region-v-national/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:10 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 20, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Plaintiff is a nonprofit that researches and preserves the local and national history of the Underground Railroad movement, its international connections, and its legacy to today’s social justice issues, to empower people of all ages to be agents of change in favor of an equitable and just society.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
Acting Administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency
Department of Government Efficiency
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
National Endowment of Humanities
Office of Management and Budget
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Northern District of New York 1:26-cv-00447
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Case Summary of Underground Railroad History Project of the Capitol Region v. National Endowment for the Humanities, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47955/.