After their Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant money was revoked in March, Woodmere sued the agency, President Donald Trump and his administration to reclaim it. Now, the federal government has reinstated the grant. 

Woodmere applied for a $750,000 grant from the IMLS’ Save America’s Treasures program and began receiving the funding in autumn 2024. The grant was focused on the conservation and digitization of Woodmere’s historic artwork. 

In March, Trump targeted IMLS with an executive order, placing its staff on leave and canceling grants, including the money intended for Woodmere.

As part of the grant agreement, IMLS required Woodmere to raise funds matching the $750,000 award. The museum would then be reimbursed for funds spent on contracts and preservation efforts. According to Woodmere Director and CEO William Valerio, approximately $185,000 was paid to Woodmere by IMLS before the funding was cut off.

Woodmere sought the remaining nearly $565,000 originally awarded in the grant and was prepared to go to court on Sept. 12, but the Chestnut Hill arts institution received a letter of reinstatement for the grant on Sept. 4.

The letter states that IMLS “has completed the termination review process and will be reinstating your federal grant. This action supersedes any previous notices you may have received related to grant termination.”

In a press release, Valerio said, “We are thrilled to receive the news that the IMLS has reinstated this important grant, and we look forward to the critical work of preserving, conserving, and stewarding Woodmere’s collection for the benefit of the public.”

With the grant reinstated, the lawsuit has been dismissed.

Tommy Tucker can be reached at Tommy@chestnuthilllocal.com.