Artists face increasing challenges to showcasing their work in Edinburgh, especially when their costs include overseas travel. That’s why the Fringe Society – the organization that underpins the festival – is spearheading an initiative to provide financial support for US artists wishing to perform.

Led by Fringe Ambassador Brian Cox (Succession), Keep it Fringe US echoes the successful Keep it Fringe fund, which was started by the Fringe Society’s honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, to help UK artists thrive at the festival.

Brian Cox, Ambassador of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, said: “As a Scottish performer who lives in the US, I’m doubly invested in this project to strengthen the cultural bond between our two countries. There’s already an incredibly strong shared heritage between Edinburgh and the States – one of Edinburgh’s foremost theatres for new writing, the Traverse, was founded by a US airman named Jim Haynes in the 1960s.

"Keep it Fringe US aims to enable and encourage the next generation of emerging US talent at the Fringe, ensuring that a spirit of adventure and collaboration can continue.”

Can you help us launch Keep it Fringe US?

Join the Fringe Society in helping US artists to thrive at the Fringe.

Together, we can support at least 10 shows with bursaries of $2.5k, advice and a support package to aid audience and career development, with specific focus on marketing, screen development and industry networking opportunities.

Can you help to provide this incredible chance for emerging US performers?

Donate to us via the Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc to ensure you can claim tax benefits by giving to a registered 501(c)(3).

  • We need to raise $45,000 to launch the program.
  • Approximately every $5,000 supports a show.
  • Additional funds support more shows.

Donate now!

As a thank you for your support, you will receive*:

  • Invites to behind-the-scenes receptions during the Fringe and opportunities to meet the performers.
  • Invites to our New York-based events in January and April, including a parade down 6th Avenue.
  • Named on the Fringe website, in the official program and in relevant press releases.
  • Named at relevant events.
  • Introduction to a complementary concierge service in Edinburgh.

*Acknowledgement options depend on the amount donated.

The Kinsey Sicks perform at a Fringe Friends event

Join our US community of Fringe-lovers, ensure a vibrant future for the Fringe and support our charitable work to give anyone a stage and everyone a seat. In 2023, we welcomed 366 shows from the US and provided vital support at our artist hub that offered one-on-one support, professional development events and wellbeing services.

Donate now!

Stewardship experience

Our US Donors enjoy a closer relationship with the Fringe Society team, receiving behind the scenes access to special supporter events and opportunities to engage with the wider team.

For Donors looking for benefits such as 2for1 ticket offers, considering adding a Friends membership to your donation from just £49. Please note Friends membership are not tax-exempt.

  Emerging Patron Front Row Patron Backstage Patron Spotlight Patron Showstopper Patron
  $500 or
$45 monthly
$1,600 or
$140 monthly
$2,500 or
$215 monthly
$5,000 or
$420 monthly
$10,000 or
$630 monthly
Exclusive year-round bulletins ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Priority booking line ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Acknowledgement on edfringe.com ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Acknowledgement in the printed programme ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Invitation to Fringe Friend receptions in August ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Invites (x2) to the VIP Industry Welcome Address       ✔️ ✔️
Invites (x2) to the programme launch*   ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Invitation to join us on the Tartan Parade in New York ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Invites to further celebration events throughout the year     ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Behind the scenes access to Fringe Central artist hub     ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Exclusive time with the Friends team   ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Exclusive time with Chief Exec       ✔️ ✔️
Recommendations of hotels, restaurants and activities for during your stay     ✔️ ✔️ ✔️
Invoicing of tickets post-festival.       ✔️ ✔️

We partner with the Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc to ensure that our American supporters can claim tax benefits by giving to a registered 501(c)(3). The Chapel & York US Foundation, Inc will provide you with a tax receipt for your donation. The Chapel & York Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) with EIN 81-2161937. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.


 

An enormous Fringe Society thank you to our US Advisors: Chris Crouch, Ian Houston, Paul Innella, Molly Morris, Scott Plank and Ellen Tupman.

In 2024 we returned to the US in January to participate in the International Society for Performing Arts Congress. As part of the programme we held a workshops for prospective Fringe artists on the festival environment and how to make the most of it, alongside a networking event for both artists and industry. 

This was followed by a trip to New York in April to participate in Tartan Week (with thanks to the Scottish Business Network Tartan Challenge program for making this possible) to raise awareness of our fundraising campaign to support US artists thrive at the Fringe and build on our connections. 

Alongside marching in the Tartan Day Parade down Sixth avenue, we also hosted a reception with Fringe Patron Eddie Izzard and US-based Fringe artists to raise the profile of the US Keep it Fringe initiative (with thanks to Playbill for supporting the event). 

Fringe Society and friends at the Tartan Day Parade

The trip was a fantastic success, with many new friendships struck up and promising plans made for the future of the Fringe. We'd like to thank everyone we met for the warm welcome we received.

We look forward to future activity in the US, promoting the relationship between the festival and the USA and to continually building relationships with our US supporters.

If you would like to discuss more about how you can support the Fringe Society, please contact us on [email protected].