The Shubert Foundation Inc
The Shubert Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in New York, New York. Established in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert in memory of their brother Sam, it provides unrestricted support primarily to not-for-profit professional theatres, with a secondary focus on dance companies in the United States and its territories.
The Shubert Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Shubert Foundation Inc gave $42.0M across 671 grants in 2025 (avg $63K), top state New York. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $42,004,000
- +4.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 671
- +2.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $62,599
- +1.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $706,940,113
- +4.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (117 of 662, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Shubert Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Review Cycle
- For the FY27 cycle, the website lists October 14, 2026, for Dance, Arts Related, and Shubert Scholars applications; December 3, 2026, for Theatre applications; December 10, 2026, for Dance and Arts Related financial statements; and February 2, 2027, for Theatre financial statements. The Foundation says applicant notifications will be mailed in the last week of May 2027.
- Deadline
- For the FY27 cycle, the website lists October 14, 2026, for Dance, Arts Related, and Shubert Scholars applications;…
- Next open deadline
- October 14, 2026 (Shubert Foundation: Dance Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Vicki Reiss
Mailing address: 234 West 44Th Street, New York, NY 10036
Phone: (212) 944-3777
Website: https://shubertfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Shubert Foundation Inc
Shubert Foundation: Arts Related Organizations Grants
The Shubert Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Shubert Foundation: Dance Grants
The Shubert Foundation Inc
Amount
More than US $15,000
Deadline
Expected ~October
Based on past cycles
Shubert Foundation: Shubert Scholars Grant
The Shubert Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Shubert Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fund for Public Schools Inc ($734K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,138 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,930 grants of 3,138 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation supports theatre and dance companies throughout the United States and its territories. It does not fund outside the United States or its territories. In 2025, recipients in New York received 35% of grant dollars, followed by California at 9%, Illinois at 5%, Pennsylvania at 4%, and Massachusetts at 4%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 671 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Shubert Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 117 of 662 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $53K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $32.1M (2021) to $42.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 671 grants totaling $42.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fund for Public Schools Inc New York, NY | For Shubert Leader and Teacher Development | $371,000 |
| Fund for Public Schools Inc New York, NY | For Shubert-MTI Broadway Junior Project | $363,000 |
| Chicago Theatre Group Inc Chicago, IL | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $350,000 |
| New York Shakespeare Festival New York, NY | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $350,000 |
| Playwrights Horizons Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $325,000 |
| Vivian Beaumont Theater Inc New York, NY | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $325,000 |
| Washington Drama Society Inc Washington, DC | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $325,000 |
| South Coast Repertory Inc Costa Mesa, CA | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $300,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theater CO Chicago, IL | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $300,000 |
| American Repertory Theatre Cambridge, MA | General Operating Support for Theatrical Productions and Activities | $285,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $706,940,113 | $77,367,013 | $48,775,272 | $42,004,000 | 671 | $44,473,299 | $73,626,012 | $43,729,562 |
| 2024 | $677,813,037 | $54,459,431 | $46,683,477 | $40,071,000 | 652 | $42,420,990 | $49,721,080 | $39,887,487 |
| 2023 | $670,184,655 | $42,965,551 | $43,925,896 | $37,900,000 | 634 | $40,023,549 | $37,653,027 | $37,962,501 |
| 2022 | $671,108,588 | $57,657,953 | $43,867,505 | $37,595,000 | 609 | $39,706,993 | $53,013,965 | $43,070,281 |
| 2021 | $657,119,660 | $63,028,666 | $37,611,855 | $32,051,000 | 572 | — | $58,117,622 | $39,285,797 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Shubert Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $43.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s stated goal is to sustain and advance the live performing arts, particularly professional theatre, and it emphasizes organizations that develop and produce new American work. Its grants provide unrestricted general operating support rather than project-specific funding. The Foundation says approximately 74% of its funding goes to not-for-profit professional theatres and 17% to dance companies, with an emphasis on producing organizations. It also makes a limited number of awards to arts-related organizations and graduate drama departments through the Shubert Scholars program.
Examples of 2025 grantees include the Chicago Theatre Group, which describes its work as producing classic and contemporary theatre, and the New York Shakespeare Festival, which describes itself as producing Shakespeare and new work. Playwrights Horizons describes its mission as advancing contemporary playwrights through developing and producing new work. These are grantees’ own descriptions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 671 grants totaling $42,004,000. Grants ranged from $15,000 to $371,000, with a median of $40,000. The largest listed grants included $371,000 and $363,000 to the Fund for Public Schools for Shubert education initiatives; $350,000 each to Chicago Theatre Group and New York Shakespeare Festival for general operating support; and $325,000 each to Playwrights Horizons, Vivian Beaumont Theater, and Washington Drama Society for general operating support. Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation received $275,000 for general operating support for dance productions and activities.
The Foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applications must be submitted through its online grantee portal. Its 2023 filing describes requests as requiring the Foundation’s application form and a copy of the applicant’s federal tax-exemption letter; audited financial statements for the most recent fiscal year are required when requested. The Foundation provides general operating support, not project support, and does not fund capital or endowment campaigns, individuals, or conduit organizations. Its website also says it does not fund fiscally sponsored organizations or community and non-professional theatre organizations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert E. Wankel as chairman, Diana Phillips as president, Elliot H. Greene as treasurer, and Juan Calvo as assistant treasurer. Directors listed are Wyche Fowler Jr., Pamela Newkirk, Richard J. Poccia, Lee J. Seidler, Stuart Subotnick, and Laura Forese. The Foundation’s website lists Vicki Reiss as executive director.
The Shubert Foundation Inc is led by Diana Phillips, President on every filing since 2021; 2 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Diana Phillips
President
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
$79K (2021) → $123K (2025)
Vicki Reiss
Assistant Secretary & Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$336K (2021) → $559K (2025)
Robert E. Wankel
Chairman
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lee J. Seidler
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pamela Newkirk
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard J. Poccia
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stuart Subotnick
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wyche Fowler Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Forese
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elliot H. Greene
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gilbert Hoover IV
Secretary
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Calvo
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Philip J. Smith (2021) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $559K, to Vicki Reiss (Asst Secretary/Exec Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Shubert Foundation Inc
How much does The Shubert Foundation Inc give each year?
The Shubert Foundation Inc gave $42.0M across 671 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $40.1M across 652 grants.
What is The Shubert Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
The Shubert Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $62,599, across 671 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Shubert Foundation Inc that year got $53K on average.
Where does The Shubert Foundation Inc give grants?
The Shubert Foundation Inc's top state is New York, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest state was California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (139 grants), Chicago, IL (29 grants), Washington, DC (16 grants) and Brooklyn, NY (16 grants).
Does The Shubert Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 97% of The Shubert Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (653 of 671) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "For Shubert Scholarship Program" (15 grants).
Who are The Shubert Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
The Shubert Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Fund for Public Schools Inc ($734,000 across 2 grants), The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of ($380,000 across 3 grants) and Chicago Theatre Group Inc ($350,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 3% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Shubert Foundation Inc?
The Shubert Foundation Inc reported $706.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $44.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $43.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Shubert Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s stated goal is to sustain and advance the live performing arts, particularly professional theatre, and it emphasizes organizations that develop and produce new American work. Its grants provide unrestricted general operating support rather than project-specific funding. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Shubert Foundation Inc?
The Shubert Foundation Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check shubertfoundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Shubert Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Shubert Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6106961. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does The Shubert Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 21, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Shubert Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Shubert Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-shubert-foundation-inc-morg_8762376a4ac54b86bd732d8192222208
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_136106961_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Shubert Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-shubert-foundation-inc-morg_8762376a4ac54b86bd732d8192222208},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Shubert Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Shubert Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?