Our Impact
Burning Man Project is the nonprofit facilitating and extending the global creative Burning Man cultural movement. Together with a resourceful and generous community, the nonprofit advances a more creative, connected and thriving planet.
From a rogue gathering on San Francisco’s Baker Beach to a global phenomenon, Burning Man proves what is possible when people create things together instead of being passive consumers. Today Burning Man is a living laboratory for civic innovation and a network of more than 100 Regional communities across six continents.
10
guiding Principles
40
people on Baker Beach in 1986
+1 million
have participated in Burning Man today
To protect this culture from commercial influence, Burning Man Project forgoes corporate sponsorship and vendor revenue sharing. This preserves a rare space where people participate, create and connect on different terms. Philanthropic support, rather than corporate sponsorship, makes up the difference.
Did you know? Sponsorship provides about half of private funding at some leading nonprofit festivals, while sponsorship and vendor revenue sharing cover 20–30% of large corporate-run event budgets.
Burning Man founder Larry Harvey imagined the movement growing to millions of participants:
They thought I was a lunatic when I stood here in 1990 and said, ‘They’ll come.’ But they did.
Milestones
1986
first Burning Man in San Francisco
1990
Burning Man moves to the Black Rock Desert
2011
Burning Man Project becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
2026
40 years since the first Man Burn
Burning Man is 365 & Everywhere
Burning Man is a global cultural movement that invites people to become the most connective, creative version of themselves. From Romania to Argentina, New Hampshire to Wisconsin, people are bringing Burning Man to life wherever they are — organizing connective gatherings, creative community projects, and year-round spaces. Participate in Burning Man where you live.
1998
first local community event, Burning Flipside, Texas
180K
participants at Regional Events and Black Rock City, 2025
+100
Regional communities around the world in 2025
96
official Regional Events globally in 2025
I now dream bigger. I’m not afraid to start things, or create different kinds of art, and I bring that attitude home with me.
Britta Kronacher, Burning Man community leader in Germany
Empowering Creators & Communities
Burning Man’s impact begins with participatory creativity and ripples outward as people bring a sense of possibility, shared responsibility, and civic action into the world.
We’re super lucky to have support from the Burning Man community. It allows us to get the tools and the materials that we need for construction.
Anna Kroitor, Temple of Re:creation lead and Burners Without Borders Civic Ignition Grant recipient
Feel the Impact
A living philosophy and distributed community make Burning Man uniquely capable of turning participation into lasting civic and cultural impact:
$20.6m
granted to Black Rock City artists since 1999
+8,000
community-built artworks in Black Rock City since 1990
800
community-led civic projects in 44 countries
1.6m
visitors to Burning Man exhibitions at the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery, on tour, and at Chatsworth House
A Yale-led study that followed people who attended Burning Man found that participants felt more connected to all of humanity; their circle of moral concern widened with each day on site, and the experiences held six months later.
(Nature Communications 2022)
+85%
More than 85% of Black Rock City participants return for the connection and belonging and the impact has a lasting effect.
(Black Rock City 2025 Census)
A Hub for Regenerative Innovation
In Black Rock City and Northern Nevada we prototype technological solutions that inspire projects well beyond the desert.
100%
reduction in fossil-based diesel to power BRC Operations, 2019–2026
Innovation Partners: Prototyped in Black Rock City
Footprint Project
Footprint Solar piloted its first solar array in BRC 2016. A Burners Without Borders affiliate, they deploy power to disaster areas, including after Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Kiwiburn New Zealand
Kiwiburn was the first Regional Event to use BLAST (Burner Leadership Achieving Sustainable Theme Camps). Today New Zealand events look to Kiwiburn as a model.
Sunbelt Rentals
Sunbelt prototyped technology in Black Rock City that now makes large commercial events more sustainable, including at the 2024 Super Bowl.
Dragon Wings
Dragon Wings is an unfolding mobile renewable generator prototyped in Black Rock City and now being used to sustainably deliver power to events and community projects.
SOLARPUNKS
SOLARPUNKS deployed Black Rock City’s first megawatt scale solar array, which powered two camps and gifted charging to mutant vehicles, ebikes, and batteries throughout the Black Rock City 2026.
We were able to successfully deploy batteries at the Super Bowl, as well as showcase the Dragon Wings solar product designed by Burners.
Gary Meador, Senior Director of Entertainment and Event Services at Sunbelt
Burning Man Is Funded by You
Tickets fund most of Black Rock City. Without sponsors, philanthropy makes up the difference, and carries Burning Man into the world year-round. Philanthropy nurtures innovation and participatory creativity, extends Burning Man 365 and everywhere, and prepares the movement for the generations ahead.
47,000
Black Rock City participants benefited from Ticket Aid from 2012 to 2026
1,426
Honoraria grants awarded to Black Rock City artists since 1999
365
days per year the nonprofit works with you to bring Burning Man into the world
Burning Man has been such a big part of healing and joy and play for me. I want to do what I can to help it continue.
Lane Merrifield, Burning Man Project donor
Support Burning Man Project
Help sustain a vibrant Black Rock City and advance a more creative, connected and participatory world.
Appreciations
HERO: “Apotheneum” by Anthony Fieldman, Black Rock City 2026 (Photo by Mark Fromson)
Portrait, Larry Harvey (Photo by Scott London)
“The Man” (Photo by Jamen Percy)
Vancouver Burn in the Forest Temple, 2019
Fire spinner Jack Fire at Japan Burn Regional, 2025 (Photo by Danee Hazama)
Burners Without Borders Utah working at the Wasatch Community Gardens (Photo by James Loomis)
“Dragon Wings” Solar Generator (Photo by Liza Welsh)
“Shell” by Colin Bowring Wizard, 2024 (Photo by Duncan Rawlinson)