The Shubert Foundation is the nation's largest private foundation dedicated to "unrestricted funding of not-for-profit theatres, dance companies, professional theatre training programs and related service agencies."

"All of us at The Shubert Foundation are passionate about our commitment to America's not-for-profit theatre and dance companies," said Foundation president Michael I. Sovern in a statement. "Our longstanding practice of providing help in the form of general operating support remains unchanged. We are convinced that talented artists and administrators are best able to decide how to use the funds we grant."

Ranging from $10,000-$300,000, the grants benefit a broad spectrum of arts organizations — large to small — that cover a wide range of locations around the country, from urban to rural. The Shubert Foundation is especially interested in providing support to professional resident theatres that develop and produce new American work.

"The challenges facing not-for-profit arts organizations today are greater than ever," added Foundation chairman Philip J. Smith. "We want to help lift some of the financial burden so that the companies we support are able to focus on producing thought-provoking, relevant theatre for the widest possible audience."

Theatres given grants include The Actors Company in New York ($70,000), Actors Theatre of Louisville in Louisville ($200,000), Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery ($140,000), Arena Stage in Washington ($220,000), Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield ($60,000), Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley ($190,000), Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn ($200,000), Classic Stage Company in New York ($60,000), Denver Center Theatre Company in Denver ($140,000), Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles ($110,000), Goodman Theatre in Chicago ($300,000), La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla ($160,000), Lincoln Center Theater in New York ($300,000), New York City Center in New York ($100,000), Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland ($200,000), Playwrights Horizons in New York ($265,000), The Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival in New York ($230,000), Roundabout Theatre Company in New York ($235,000), Seattle Children's Theatre in Seattle ($100,000) and Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago ($200,000), among many others. Additionally, the Foundation has established the Shubert Scholars Program, which will award grants to eight leading colleges and universities to enable the institutions to offer scholarship assistance to students in graduate degree programs in theatre arts. The Shubert Foundation also continues its commitment to the Shubert Archive, which was created by the Foundation in 1976.

Further information about The Shubert Foundation and its grants program is available at ShubertFoundation.org.