Over the weekend, we learned that the Heifetz Institute was among hundreds of arts organizations around the country to have their 2025 grants terminated by National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The Institute’s $20,000 award was rescinded due to a shift in federal funding priorities, which “focus funding on projects that reflect the nation’s rich artistic heritage and creativity as prioritized by the President.”

This loss hits hard—especially as we face a 40% rise in core costs like housing, meals, travel, and facility expenses for our 2025 summer program. But we’re determined to move forward—with your help.

What’s at stake?

The NEA funding supports the Heifetz Institute’s signature Performance & Communication Training—the immersive curriculum that sets us apart from our peer organizations. It empowers our young artists not just to achieve technical mastery on their instruments, but to communicate deeply and authentically with audiences through movement, speech, drama, and more—guiding them to become more confident and empathetic both on and off the stage. Our emphasis on Communication Training ensures that students develop the skills to connect with audiences in both the concert hall and in community outreach events.

We can’t scale back this close to summer. But we can turn to you—our supporters, audiences, and friends—to bridge the gap.

Three ways you can help right now to ensure that this summer’s festival will be as bold, inclusive, and inspiring as ever: