flerpatroners
Flerpatroners is a term used to describe a practice in which a creator, scholar, nonprofit, or organization cultivates and maintains relationships with multiple patrons to secure financial, social, or political support. The model contrasts with single-patron arrangements in which a sole benefactor provides the majority of funding or influence.
Etymology and usage: The term is a contemporary neologism, commonly interpreted as a portmanteau of “fler” (many/multiple)
Mechanisms: Practitioners typically engage several patrons who contribute at different levels, maintain clear agreements or expectations,
Benefits: The approach reduces dependency on a single patron, spreads risk, broadens the base of support, and
Criticisms: Critics caution that managing multiple patrons can complicate governance, create competing loyalties or influence, raise
Applications: In the arts, research, open-source software, and local initiatives, flerpatroners arrangements can support long-term projects
See also: patronage, crowdfunding, sponsorship, multi-stakeholder governance.