Last year, I was asked by Surrey Chambers to write an article for their Surrey Business Magazine, their wonderfully glossy and informative monthly publication for members and non-members.
The subject was all about corporate sponsorship, it was titled ‘Why Should and Business Support the Arts?’, and I was delighted when it appeared in print. I was even more delighted by the response the piece had, with positive comments from near and far, including a great many on LinkedIn.
In the article I mentioned the importance of developing real relationships with sponsors, not just taking their money and wishing them all the best. It is up to arts organisations, producers, artists and venues to embrace their supporters and offer something in return, like any relationship, it takes work and consideration.
You might be aware that Guildford Fringe Festival is celebrating a ‘big birthday’ this year, with 2023 marking our tenth anniversary, and while it has been stupendous fun, I think it is fair to say that it has not always been easy to keep going. I also think that it’s fair to say that it would have been next door to impossible to survive without the help of our ‘Friends of the Fringe’.
Among our many astonishing and generous supporters, there are quite a few that have been with us every step of the way, including Chapters Financial, a company that without fuss and fanfare, help a great many people, organisations and charities in and around Guildford.
Chapters, in the person of Keith and Esther do so much for us that I cannot overstate how important they are to Guildford Fringe. Their help is more than ‘just’ financial, because for us to be associated with a business that is so well-respected, with owners that are so highly regarded, makes us feel ten feet tall.
Having a companies like Chapters, believe in us and what we are doing, gives us extra motivation to keep pushing ourselves, so I would like to say thanks to all the Keith’s and Esther’s out there, quietly supporting organisations like ours, and helping us to entertain many thousands of people.
We could not do what we do, without you.
So much more than Friends – Chapters Financial
By NickWyschna