The Shubert Foundation Inc
The Shubert Foundation is the nation's largest funder dedicated to unrestricted funding of not-for-profit theaters and dance companies. Established in 1945 by Lee and J.J. Shubert in memory of their brother Sam, the foundation launched its grants program in 1977 and has since distributed over $653 million to arts organizations throughout the United States. Based in New York City, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation with tax-exempt status since July 1946.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$677.8M
+1.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$40.1M
+5.7% YoY
Grant Count
652
+2.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
+2.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to build and perpetuate the live performing arts, particularly professional theater, in the United States. The foundation emphasizes theater as its primary focus with a secondary focus on dance. The foundation also supports arts-related institutions necessary to maintain and support the theater, including academic theater training programs and related service agencies.
The foundation is unique in the field for providing unrestricted general operating support grants, allowing organizations flexibility in how they use awarded funds. The Board of Directors believes that the most effective way to encourage the artistic process is by providing general operating support that reinforces the structure nurturing artistic development. All allocations are unrestricted, with no earmarking of awards.
The foundation is especially interested in providing support to professional resident theater and dance companies that develop and produce new American work.
Grantmaking
Grants range from $15,000 to $325,000 and above. The foundation provides unrestricted general operating support for theatrical productions and activities, as well as dance and arts-related organizations.
Grant Range
s and Types
Review Cycle
cycle:
How to Apply
The foundation operates on a fixed annual deadline cycle:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations nationwide across all 50 states, with a national geographic focus. The foundation's grantmaking reaches a wide array of cities and states, emphasizing its national impact.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $677.8 million
- Total Revenue: $54.5 million
- Total Expenses: $46.7 million
- Total Liabilities: $4.19 million
- Annual Giving: $40 million (2024)
Historical Growth:
- Total assets have grown from $259.3 million in 2010 to $677.8 million in 2024
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $677,813,037 | $670,184,655 | $671,108,588 |
| Revenue | $54,459,431 | $42,965,551 | $57,657,953 |
| Expenses | $46,683,477 | $43,925,896 | $43,867,505 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $42,420,990 | $40,023,549 | $39,706,993 |
| Net Investment Income | $49,721,080 | $37,653,027 | $53,013,965 |
| Distributable Amount | $39,887,487 | $37,962,501 | $43,070,281 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from The Shubert Foundation Inc
Shubert Foundation: Arts Related Organizations Grants
THE SHUBERT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Shubert Foundation: Dance Grants
THE SHUBERT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
More than US $15,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Shubert Foundation: Shubert Scholars Grant
THE SHUBERT FOUNDATION INC
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Robert E. Wankel, Chairman
- Diana Phillips, President
- Laura Forese
- Wyche Fowler, Jr.
- Pamela Newkirk
- Richard J. Poccia
- Lee J. Seidler
- Stuart Subotnick
Staff:
- Vicki Reiss, Executive Director
- Amy Dorfman Wine, Senior Program Director
- Rebecca Hewett, Program Director
- Joshua Hardcastle, Senior Program Associate
- Jacob Horn, Grants Coordinator
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT E WANKEL | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| DIANA PHILLIPS | PRESIDENT | 3 | $100,000 |
| WYCHE FOWLER JR | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| PAMELA NEWKIRK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RICHARD J POCCIA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LEE J SEIDLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| STUART SUBOTNICK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA FORESE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ELLIOT H GREENE | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| JUAN CALVO | ASSISTANT TREASURER | 2 | — |
| GILBERT HOOVER IV | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| VICKI REISS | ASST SECRETARY/EXEC DIRECTOR | 40 | $521,635 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In 2024, the Shubert Foundation announced a record-breaking $40 million in annual grants distributed to 653 not-for-profit arts organizations nationwide. In 2025, the foundation announced $42 million awarded to 672 arts organizations nationwide, continuing its trajectory of increased grantmaking.
Shubert Foundation Announces Record-Breaking $40 Million in Annual GrantsThe foundation maintains an archive for the preservation of the history of the performing arts.
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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