Patrons
Our Patrons are an integral part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe family.
Play a leading role in protecting creative freedom and help shape the future of the performing arts.
The Fringe is intentionally open and artist-led. There is no selection committee and no single curatorial voice. That openness is what makes it extraordinary and what makes support from individuals essential.
Our Patrons and Benefactors ensure the Fringe remains accessible, inclusive and driven by artistic ambition. It allows new voices to take creative risks and ensures the Fringe remains an exceptional place of discovery.
Thank you!
We’re proud to have the support of patrons across the globe who believe in what we do and are generous with their influence. As respected voices in the arts and business, they advocate for the Fringe Society and champion the work we’re so passionate about.
An enormous Fringe Society thank you to our Fringe Benefactors, Champions and Patrons, whose kindness helps our charitable work in maintaining the Fringe as a global arts phenomenon:
- Fringe Champion: Geoff Arbuthnott
- Showstopper Patrons: Heather & Paul Innella
- Spotlight Patrons: Stefano Milici, Asher Gelman and J Mellon
- Backstage Patrons: Bert Aerts, Changing Ideas, Dr Kurt and Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Greg Lovett, Justin Dean
- Front Row Patrons: Chris Crouch and Molly Morris, Graeme and Rachel Baillie, Stephen and Teresa Graham
- Emerging Patrons: Jessica Guo, Jonathan Gorbach, Lisa Brindle, Margo Groves, Mike and Carol Ramsay, Nancy Nagel Gibbs, Whitney and Ally, Sarah Conrad, Renée Petrofes and Gerry McNamara
And to those who wish to remain anonymous.
We also truly value our US community of Fringe-lovers, who ensure a vibrant future for the Fringe and support our charitable work to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat. If you’re interested in signing up as a Friend or Patron from the US, please visit our US Supporters page, where you can make the most of tax benefits via our Chapel & York partnership.
Fringe Patron membership tiers
| Emerging Patron | Front Row Patron | Backstage Patron | Spotlight Patron | Showstopper Patron | |
| £500 – £1,599 or £45+ monthly |
£1,600 – £2,499 or £140+ monthly |
£2,500 – £4,999 or £215+ monthly |
£5,000 – £7,499 or £420+ monthly |
£7,500 – £9,999 or £630+ monthly |
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| All the benefits of a Best Friend | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Recommendations of hotels, restaurants and activities for during your stay | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Acknowledgement on the website | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Acknowledgement in the printed programme | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Invites (x2) to the Review of the Year event* | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Invites (x2) to the programme launch* | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Invites to further celebration events throughout the year | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Invites (x2) to the Fringe Artists' Welcome Address | ✔️ | ✔️ | |||
| Exclusive VIP bar passes when available | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Behind-the-scenes access to Fringe Central artist hub | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ||
| Exclusive time with the Friends team | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Exclusive time with Chief Executive | ✔️ | ||||
| Invoicing of ticketing post-festival | ✔️ | ||||
| Fringe Champions (£10K+) and Benefactor’s Circle (£50K+) | |||||
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Our Fringe Champions and Benefactors provide vital support to the Fringe Society's charitable work and receive all of the benefits of a Showstopper Patron as well as opportunities to support a specific part of our charitable work. In 2024 we were able to support over 3,790 community visits to the Fringe, BSL interpretation at the Fringe street events, over 300 uses of our sensory resources and 180 shows receiving Keep it Fringe funding thanks to our amazing donors. Please get in touch if you're considering becoming a Fringe Champion or Benefactor and we can discuss how you can help give anyone a stage and everyone a seat. |
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To become a Fringe Patron, Champion and Benefactor, please contact the team on [email protected] or 0131 226 0036.
Go beyond with a Fringe VIP experience
Fringe Champions+ get access to a unique VIP experience to go beyond the programme and into the heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. With tailored experiences and behind-the-scenes insights, this is the best way to make the most of your time at one of the world’s most extraordinary and influential arts festivals, and the remarkable city that brings it to life.
Your VIP experience includes a concierge service, help to discover and book shows, and more. Get in touch to discuss the possibilities: [email protected].