Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $3.3–$4.2 million
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $7,500–$200,000 (playwright awards); multi-million institutional grants
• Geographic Focus: National (US), concentration in New York

Contact Details

• Address: c/o Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
• EIN: 13-3383348
• Website: No standalone website
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust was established in 1986 by the late Harold Steinberg, a prominent New York real estate developer and president of Downing Management Corporation, in his name and that of his late wife, Miriam (Mimi). The Trust is administered through Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP in Manhattan.

The Trust's primary mission is to support and promote American theatre as a vital part of US culture by nurturing American playwrights, encouraging the development and production of new American plays, and providing significant financial support to not-for-profit theatre companies across the country. Since its founding, the Trust has awarded over $100 million to more than 125 theatre organizations and hundreds of playwrights nationally.

As of its most recent filing, the Trust held total assets of approximately $59.3 million and distributed approximately $3.7–4.2 million annually in grants. The Trust does not accept unsolicited applications.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award ("The Mimi"): $200,000 (biennial award for established American playwrights)
• Steinberg Playwright Awards: $100,000 per recipient (annual awards to two early-to-mid-career playwrights)
• Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award and Citations: $25,000 (award) + two citations at $7,500 each (recognizes outstanding new plays premiered outside NYC)
• Institutional Operating/Program Grants: Multi-year, multi-million dollar grants to established not-for-profit theatre companies (trustee discretion)

Priority Areas

• American playwright development (emerging, mid-career, and established)
• New American play commissions, development, and production
• Operating support for established not-for-profit theatre companies
• Arts education and outreach programs introducing young audiences to live theatre
• Theatre companies producing world premieres and new works

What They Don't Fund

• Unsolicited applications from any organization or individual
• Projects outside of American theatre
• For-profit theatre productions
• Organizations outside the arts and cultural sector

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• James D. Steinberg (Trustee/Director) - Son of Harold Steinberg
• Michael A. Steinberg (Trustee)
• Carole A. Krumland (Trustee)
• Seth M. Weingarten (Trustee)
• William D. Zabel (Trustee) - Senior partner at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP

Key Quote from Leadership: William D. Zabel: "We wanted to make a splash. We want people to realize the theater is important, and that a playwright who gets the award is important to our society and our culture."

Jim Steinberg: "Now more than ever, it is essential to shine a spotlight on their artistry. We celebrate their work and look forward to the stories they have yet to tell."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Trust explicitly states it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

• Playwright Awards: Recipients are nominated and selected by an advisory committee of seven prominent theatre professionals
• Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award: Plays are nominated by ATCA member critics
• Institutional Grants: Awarded entirely at trustee discretion

Getting on Their Radar

For playwrights, visibility comes through production at theatres whose artistic directors sit on the advisory committee, which includes representatives from major institutions like the Public Theater, Playwrights' Center, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company.

For theatre organizations, the Trust favors established multi-year partnerships with organizations that have national profiles and strong new play development programs. The Trust's long-term grantees include Roundabout Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Trinity Repertory Company.

For the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award, ensuring that new premieres outside New York are reviewed by ATCA member critics creates eligibility for consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Playwright awards are typically announced in late November/December each year.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no open application pool exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the Trust does not accept applications, traditional success factors don't apply. However, documented patterns reveal strong indicators:

For Playwrights:

• Recipients have substantial production histories at major not-for-profit theatres before receiving awards
• The Trust values "distinctive and compelling voices" telling underrepresented stories
• Recent recipients include Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, Christina Anderson, and Mfoniso Udofia

For Theatre Organizations:

• Long-standing not-for-profit organizations with demonstrable track records in new play development
• Commitment to arts education and community outreach alongside artistic programming
• Organizations that have produced work by past Steinberg Award recipients tend to develop deeper relationships with the Trust

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No open application process exists - the Trust will not respond to unsolicited proposals or cold approaches
• Relationship with advisory committee is key for playwrights - being produced by theatres whose leaders sit on the committee is the most direct path to visibility
• The Trust prizes established track records - this is not a funder for early-stage organizations or debut playwrights
• New play development is the core funding theme - every grant program connects back to the creation and production of new American plays
• Multi-year institutional grants exist alongside playwright awards for organizations that sustain the Trust's interest
• National profile and geographic diversity matter - the Trust has shown interest in outstanding theatres outside New York

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust (EIN: 13-3383348). Financial data, 990-PF filings 2009–2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/133383348
2. American Theatre - "Steinberg Playwright Awards, 121 Project Recipients, Blackburn Finalists." 7 February 2025. https://www.americantheatre.org/2025/02/07/steinberg-playwright-awards-121-project-recipients-blackburn-finalists/
3. American Theatre - "This Week in Theatre Awards: Steinberg Awards, Pay Your People Grants, and More." 8 December 2023. https://www.americantheatre.org/2023/12/08/this-week-in-theatre-awards-steinberg-awards-pay-your-people-grants-and-more/
4. Playbill - "Christina Anderson and Mfoniso Udofia Receive 2024 Steinberg Playwright Awards." https://playbill.com/article/christina-anderson-and-mfoniso-udofia-receive-2024-steinberg-playwright-awards
5. American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association - "Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award." https://americantheatrecritics.org/steinberg-atca/
6. Roundabout Theatre Company - "Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre." https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/theatres-and-venues/harold-and-miriam-steinberg-center-for-theatre
7. Foundation Directory (Candid) - The Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=STEI066