Theatre — The Shubert Foundation

Not-for-profit, professional theatres in the United States are the primary recipients of Shubert Foundation general operating support grants.

Theatres are evaluated individually and with appropriate allowance for size and resources. The standard for awarding these grants is based on an assessment of each organization's operation and its contribution to the field. Artistic activity, service to community, and fiscal responsibility are factored into each evaluation, as is the company's development of new work. Emphasis is placed upon a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Theatre Application Deadlines

December 5, 2023
Theatre application due 6pm ET

February 1, 2024
Theatre financial statements due 6pm ET

Criteria

General Requirements

Shubert Foundation grants are awarded exclusively to US organizations, which must have current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and must submit current financial statements in order to be eligible for funding.

The Foundation provides grants only to professional organizations that have an established track record as well as a history of fiscal responsibility. Community theatres are not eligible for funding.

The Foundation exclusively provides general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations. Please visit our FAQs for additional information.

To review a list of recently funded organizations, please see below.

Financial Document Requirements

For the 2023-24 Application Cycle, organizations with a fiscal year that ends January through August will need to submit their Fiscal 2023 financial documentation; organizations with a fiscal year that ends September through December will need to submit their Fiscal 2022 financial documentation. We will not accept drafts or unsigned documents.

Budget Size: $150,000-750,000
If total expenses on your organization’s required financial document are $750,000 or less, you may submit an IRS 990, an accountant’s review, or an independent auditor’s report. We will not accept a 990-N postcard.

Budget Size: Above $750,000
If total expenses on your organization’s required financial document are more than $750,000, you must submit an independent auditor’s report.

Funding Criteria

Record of artistic activity
Impact of the organization’s programs
Record of developing and producing new work
Demonstrated commitment to underserved audiences and/or underrepresented voices
Fiscal responsibility
Ability to generate both earned and contributed income
Other significant contributions to the field
Organizations must have an annual budget of $150,000 or higher (not including in-kind support)

Guidelines

Grant requests must be submitted on The Shubert Foundation's current online application form. Each applicant may apply in only one funding category.

Questions regarding category, criteria, audits, and deadlines that are not answered within this or other sections of the Website should be addressed to the Foundation.

For audit requirements, applicants must submit complete audited financial statements for the appropriate fiscal year (see Criteria). Financial statements must be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and be audited by a certified public accountant.

Please note the following important application information:

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Letters of inquiry will not be accepted.
The Foundation does not support fiscally sponsored organizations.
For audit requirements: Reviews, compilations, and draft versions are not acceptable.
Required financial documents should be submitted with the application whenever possible but will be accepted as late as 6pm ET on the day of the appropriate deadline.

Determine Eligibility

Grant seekers who review the Criteria and Guidelines and are eligible for Shubert funding may take the Eligibility Quiz to begin the application process.

Eligibility Quiz