For those who haven’t been to Edinburgh, it’s difficult to describe exactly how enchanting and compelling the city is. Nestled between the Firth of Forth and the Pentland Hills and built on a landscape moulded by volcanic rock formations and the ice age, the city’s natural landscape is striking. Hundreds of years of architectural innovation work with this natural landscape to create the iconic skyline that we know today. This fusion led to the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Our World Heritage status reflects Edinburgh’s beauty, history, pace, culture – all the things that make people fall in love
with it.
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) protects the Old and New Towns, with over 1500 active conservation and interpretation projects. Throughout our long history of protecting the site, we’ve uncovered many aspects of our city and its history that aren’t included in the average guidebook.
From the early colonial period, when many Scots sought a new life on the other side of the Atlantic, to the modern day, where there are an estimated 25 million Americans of Scottish descent, Edinburgh has had a deep and dynamic connection
with the US.
We are so thankful for our US supporters and for the longstanding relationships we have with Scottish-American organisations across the Atlantic. Read on to find out how you can join us in shaping Edinburgh’s future through its past.
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Ways to support us
Donate to Edinburgh World Heritage
As a nonprofit organisation, we rely on donations to continue our work. Your gift will help look after the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh so it can be protected for generations to come.
Donations of all sizes have a major impact on our work and are greatly appreciated by our team.
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.
Stewardship Experience
Our US Donors have a close relationship with the Edinburgh World Heritage team with behind-the-scenes access to special supporter updates and opportunities to engage with Edinburgh’s conservation efforts. We offer the acknowledgement listed below to celebrate the long-term impact and transformative mark on Edinburgh’s conservation that donors provide.
All donation amounts
Certificate of thanks from Edinburgh World Heritage
Edinburgh Allies – monthly donations of $25, $50, or $100
Exclusive year-round communications
Direct quarterly updates from EWH director
Plus all acknowledgements listed above
Edinburgh Sustainers– $1000+
Invitation to EWH celebrations
Optional acknowledgement on the EWH website
Plus all acknowledgements listed above
Edinburgh Patrons – $5,000+
Exclusive lapel pin
Meet-and-greets with senior EWH staff and industry experts when possible
Celebrated on our board of thanks in the historic 17th century Acheson House
Plus all acknowledgements listed above
We’re actively searching for our next game-changer patron to become the founding contributor to a new EWH strategic expansion. If this sounds like you or someone you know, we’d love to hear from you!
Become an 'International Friend'
Becoming an International Friend of EWH is the best way to support our work. Membership in this programme represents esteem for and meaningful engagement with Edinburgh’s architectural and cultural impact on the world. As a Friend, you provide vital support for our programmes; in exchange you receive exclusive benefits, listed below, and become a highly valued member of our international community of World Heritage champions.
Benefits for International Friends of EWH include:
- Activity recommendations for visits to Edinburgh
- Access to digital resources including exclusive walking tours and maps
- Discounted tickets to EWH events
- Digital newsletters (Includes prior notice of grant programmes and supporter-only promotions)
- The opportunity to share input through surveys, focus groups, and other means when available
- Behind-the-scenes insights into building projects
- Access to a personal staff point of contact who can provide updates and answer any questions
These resources and more are developed for our International Friends to foster a rich connection with Edinburgh both from home and upon visiting the city.
Become a 'Global Ambassador'
If you love Edinburgh, are passionate about its Outstanding Universal Value as a World Heritage Site, and want to motivate others about our cause, we’d love to work with you.
Our ambassadors are committed to our mission and champion Edinburgh World Heritage in their communities. As an ambassador, you’ll help us to reach new people, inspire new fundraising activity, and thank our supporters for the work they are doing. In addition, you may be contacted as appropriate and offered the opportunity to attend events as a representative of EWH.
As a Global Ambassador you’ll receive support from the EWH team, free access to most of our events, and a highly valued role in a community of likeminded conservation advocates.
We’d love to hear about you and how we could work together – tell us about why you’re interested, and we can tailor a Global Ambassador role specifically for you. Please contact Cyril Langston at Cyril.Langston@ewht.org.uk.
Give an Honorary Gift
If you’re considering what to do to commemorate an important occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or memorial, a gift to Edinburgh World Heritage could be the perfect choice. You can make a donation in the name of a family member, friend or colleague.
Perhaps you’re looking for a unique and special surprise for a loved one who has a passion for Edinburgh, or maybe you’d like to support our organisation in memory of someone who has inspired a love for Edinburgh in you. If you would like to make a donation in honour of a loved one, please contact our team at Cyril.Langston@ewht.org.uk or +44 131 220 7724.
What’s the difference between donating and becoming an International Friend?
Donations are processed in partnership 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). Donations are celebrated with acknowledgement and opportunities for engagement to thank you for your contribution. Our International Friends receive benefits such as event discounts and annual gifts that would be subject to tax. The programme is not provided through the Chapel & York US Foundation for this reason.
With special thanks to our partners
If you would like to know more about the topic above, please contact us directly.