An email from Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell indicates that the organization’s recent fundraising efforts have largely gone unnoticed.
This fall, nearly everyone who has attended Burning Man at some point received multiple emails soliciting donations to assist the Black Rock Desert, Nevada arts gathering’s organizers in overcoming financial challenges. The latest communication reveals that the campaign has not met its goals, with a remaining shortfall of $14 million as the end-of-year deadline approaches in less than two weeks for 2025.
Burning Man Project CEO Marian Goodell initially called on the community’s supporters to help raise $20 million by year’s end back in October. The year-end fundraising goal nearly doubled due to disappointing ticket sales—particularly for higher-priced options—and vehicle passes.
In a Thursday email, Goodell noted that they are still several million dollars short of their original target. “…We found ourselves needing to make mission-aligned budget adjustments and raise the remaining deficit to the tune of approximately $10M—this, in addition to the initial $10M goal,” she wrote. “And today, with reductions as well as dollars raised from supporters, we’re still about $14M short of where we ought to be.”
While Goodell mentioned that the Burning Man Project has “cut expenses, reduced the year-round workforce, deferred some payments, got reductions on our office rentals,” she acknowledged that the organization “doubled down on our commitment to do more to bring Burning Man and Black Rock City to the world, not less.” However, this approach does not seem to have resonated with many vocal burners who see the organization’s goal of expanding its culture globally as a deviation from its core mission.
Burning Man has not publicly revealed how the shortfall in donations might impact its operations, particularly the production of its 2025 event scheduled for August 24 – September 1.
