Support Minnesota Fringe during Give to the Max

Eight years ago, I found myself with an opportunity to work for a real Minnesota arts institution - The Minnesota Fringe Festival. I love the Fringe! I've attended since it's inception. I'm intrigued by the kind of theater you can find at the festival. I yearn to discover something new on stage each year. I have the utmost respect for anyone brave enough to get onstage, tell their story, share their talent. But I didn't know exactly what it took to make it happen, I just knew I was pretty ok at making events and festivals, so very excited to be a part of this one.

I found out that Minnesota Fringe is more than just a festival. It's where artists take risks, challenge norms, and connect audiences through joy, protest, and truth. This organization serves as a vital space for artists from a wide variety of backgrounds, abilities, and experience levels to explore new ideas, make new work, and generate a livelihood.

In the 8 years I've been here, we've broadened our support for artists, established a year-round membership program, tested new programming, increased our average artist payouts, established our economic impact, reprogrammed the entire website, ensured staff are paid a fairly and that their artmaking comes first, doubled our number of annual donors and individual gifts, grown accessibility at our own event and paved the way for more accessible theater in the Metro area, uplifted new voices and established touring opportunities during our festival, and continue to listen to the needs of artists and audiences to constantly iterate our annual celebration of the performing arts. Minnesota Fringe is a beacon for freedom of expression and it is critical that we work together to protect this institution and see it thrive throughout these turbulent times. 

Freedom of expression is under threat - and Minnesota Fringe is feeling the pressure. Rising costs and shrinking public funding put this important platform for bold, uncensored storytelling at risk. Fringe gives platforms, opportunities, and voice to those who may not have any other affordable option. I want this institution to be here for at least another 30+ year, but we need your help. 

Your Give to the Max donation supports the organization that supports hundreds of artists year after year. And, this year your donation can be doubled by a commitment made by our Board of Directors to guarantee $5,500 raised in their individual campaigns.

• Donate $20 or become a sustaining donor at any level to be entered into a drawing for tickets and a button to the 2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival.
• Start your own $500 fundraising campaign, and earn a free General Lottery Entry. 
• Fundraise the most money through your own campaign, you can earn free producer fee for any artist or 3 all access rush passes for the 2026 Minnesota Fringe Festival.

Thank you for your support!