The New York City-based Shubert Foundation has announced grants and endowments totaling $37.6 million in support of 609 nonprofit arts organizations across the country.

The unrestricted grants to nonprofit theaters, dance companies, academic theater training programs, and related service agencies represent both a record amount of funding and the largest cohort of grantees in the foundation’s 45-year history.

As part of the foundation’s efforts to broaden access and eliminate barriers, 18 of the 50 new recipients—smaller-budgeted first-time applicants—were made eligible after requirements for prior-year audited financial statements were removed from the application process. In addition, the foundation made two grants of $1 million each to Spelman and Morehouse colleges to endow scholarships for theater students at the historically Black colleges.

“Creativity is the most important talent the world will need in the future,” said Morehouse College president David A. Thomas. “This gift will ensure that men of color are able to use their unique artistic talents to communicate ideas, bridge cultural barriers, problem-solve, and serve as catalysts for motivation, excitement, reflection, and introspection.”