MISSOULA, MT — The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at the University of Montana is grappling with the loss of its federal funding after receiving a termination notice from the Department of Government Efficiency. The letter, sent on February 28, informed the Center that its federal grant funding would be cut, putting several programs at risk.
Founded by an Act of Congress in 1983, the Mansfield Center has long been a key player in promoting civic engagement and democracy across Montana, particularly in schools. The center used its federal grants to support a variety of educational initiatives, including a two-week workshop in Washington, D.C., for students and teachers, along with other programs designed to foster public dialogue and understanding of national security issues.
Executive Director Deena Mansour expressed her disappointment over the decision, calling it a setback for both the center and its broader mission. “The Mansfield Center’s work was essential for national security priorities. It allowed us to broaden the scale of our work and bring in thousands more high school students, support hundreds more classrooms, and engage in a lot more activities,” Mansour said. “There’s been great response to the work we’re doing, and it’s disheartening to see this funding cut.”
The Mansfield Center had secured $3 million in federal grant funding annually, beginning in September 2023 and set to continue until September 2026. However, the U.S. Department of Defense deemed that the center’s programs were not aligned with the department’s current priorities, a decision that Mansour disputes. “We are a nonpartisan center,” Mansour argued. “We are probably the best positioned in the country to align with Department of Defense priorities for war fighting.”
With federal funding now cut, the center faces a difficult financial situation. Less than half a percent of its budget comes from the University of Montana, meaning the impact of losing this funding could be significant. According to Mansour, the loss could lead to the termination of several programs. “We had some faith in the word of the government. We had some faith in the word of Congress in appropriating these funds,” she said. “Now, we’re in the midst of having to probably terminate a lot of programs ourselves that we don’t want to do.”
In the wake of the termination, Mansfield Center officials have reached out to U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, both of whom have expressed their support for the center. As of now, it remains unclear whether additional funding will be secured or if alternative solutions will emerge to help the center continue its vital work.
The Mansfield Center’s future now hangs in the balance, with the community and its supporters hoping for a resolution that will allow these important programs to continue.
