What is the Green Regionals Grant?
The Green Regionals Grant is a $30,000 grant for projects that support Regional Events and 10 Principled gatherings in becoming more sustainable, regenerative and resilient (aka “Green Regionals”), while also sharing what they learn with the network.
The grant will fund projects that transform how events are built, operated, and experienced: shifting how energy is generated, how waste is managed, how resources move, and how communities steward the land. We’re especially looking for solutions that are impactful, innovative, open-source, and worth replicating.
This initiative is in support of Burning Man Project’s commitment to handle waste ecologically, become carbon negative, and be regenerative by 2030. Innovative and replicable solutions developed within the network are central to getting there.
This effort is being facilitated by Burners Without Borders and Burning Man Project’s Regeneration department in collaboration with the Regional Network. Funding for this program is made possible by generous philanthropic donations.
Burning Man Project is the nonprofit in service to the global Burning Man cultural movement. Year-round, Burning Man Project ignites participatory creativity by supporting gatherings, and providing tools, inspiration, and guidance to anyone wishing to spark Burning Man in their lives and communities.
Grant Application Timeline
- Grant applications open: July 3, 2026
- Deadline for grant submissions: September 27, 2026
- Grant recipients will be announced: End of October 2026
What We’re Looking For
Burning Man events aren’t just gatherings. They’re temporary cities and townships. They’re prototypes for how we organize ourselves. What gets built and tried at these events influences what humanity believes is possible.
Because of this, events are one of the most effective laboratories for testing new ideas and how some communities want to live. When a Regional Event figures out something that works, the impact is far greater when those learnings reach the whole network. Think: a modular solar setup, a shared gear system, a grey water filtration system, or a new approach to waste management.
When people experience a Green Regional, it can change what they believe is possible. Participants bring learnings home and into their lives, their communities, and the world.
The Green Regionals Grant exists to unlock promising projects. Rather than isolated success at a single event, the grant exists to nurture transformation that can spread.
Criteria
Grant reviewers will evaluate proposals against the following questions.
- Feasibility
- Does the project’s scope match its budget, timeline, and capacity?
- How well does it leverage community resources?
- What experience does the project team have? How much support will they need to succeed?
- What other funds or resources need to come together for this to work?
- Ecological & Environmental Impact
- Does the project move toward more adaptive, circular, or regenerative systems? (e.g. energy, waste, materials, water, resource sharing)
- How will the quality and quantity of ecological impact be measured?
- Community Engagement
- Is the project interactive and participatory for the broader community?
- Does it empower participants to see and exercise their own agency?
- Does this project provide broader testing or utilization opportunities outside of the event within your local community?
- Open Source & Transferability
- Can this project serve as a prototype for other events?
- Is the project designed to be replicated? (eg. through documentation, shared tools, or open processes)
- Innovation & Inspiration
- Does the project engage creative ideas or approaches that could inspire others?
- Does it model something new about how events can relate to the world?
Ineligible Expenses
This grant does not fund:
- Salaries, tips, or personal compensation
- Capital campaigns
- Projects where the grant would represent a small line item in a much larger budget. We want to have a real impact on the projects we fund.
Suggestions for a Strong Proposal
Keep it real. We value clear and concise thinking over complex language. The strongest applications are specific, honest, and grounded in lived experience. If you use AI tools to draft, please edit for brevity and work to accurately reflect your voice.
- Focus on feasibility and clarity.
- Show how your project will be shared or adapted by others.
- Demonstrate how your project will have a clear environmental impact and what success might look like.
- Check out our workshop video, “How to write Quality Grants: Burning Man 101”
- (Pro-tip: skip ahead to the 9:00 mark for when the deep dive really begins.)
- Tune into the podcast episode, “Targeted Grant Writing: with Meta-Regional Jacqui Latendresse.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s unique about the Green Regionals Grant?
The Green Regionals Grant is designed to support real, buildable sustainability projects at Burning Man Regional events while also generating shared learning across the global network.
It combines funding, made possible through philanthropic support, with a grantmaking process that emphasizes projects that can be documented, replicated, and adapted by other events. This is not just about funding individual projects, but about accelerating knowledge sharing and systemic change across the wider Network.
Who is eligible to apply?
Anyone. Individuals, groups, not-for-profits, and other entities are all eligible.
How much funding is available?
- Total program funding: $30,000 USD
- Individual grants: from $500 – $10,000 USD
How much can you ask for?
The maximum grant award is $10,000 USD.
Applicants are encouraged to request funding that is proportional to the scale and needs of their project rather than defaulting to the highest or lowest amount.
Grant awards may be less than the amount requested.
How are projects selected?
Applications will be reviewed by a jury composed of representatives from the Regeneration Department, Burners Without Borders, the Regional Network, and members of the broader community. The jury will evaluate proposals against the selection criteria and make the final funding decisions.
How long will it take to receive funds if selected?
Once selected, grantees must submit contracting and payment information, including tax details if applicable.
After all information is received, payment processing may take approximately 4 to 8 weeks.
Are the funds taxable?
Yes. Grants are considered income and may be taxable for individuals and organizations.
For international recipients:
- You are responsible for any foreign exchange or bank fees.
- Please confirm details with your bank before receiving funds.
- Incorrect wiring information may result in additional fees.
- Burning Man Project is not responsible for international transaction fees.
For more questions, contact greengrants@burningman.org