Burning Man Project

Analysis

Burning Man Project is a registered charity in United States, based in San Francisco, CA. It received its IRS tax-exemption ruling in April 2012, 14 years ago. Its declared purposes cover community improvement and capacity building, which this site groups under community and economic development. The IRS classifies it as a publicly supported organisation (donations from the general public) under section 501(c)(3), and contributions to it are listed as tax-deductible.

In the financial year ending December 2023, Burning Man Project reported income of $66.6m and spending of $63.6m, spending 96% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2019 to December 2023, income grew from $46.4m to $66.6m (+43%), an average of +9.4% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income rose by 125%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.

Among 19,475 United States charities whose main cause is community and economic development and that reported income, Burning Man Project sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in United States with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile, and in the 99th percentile within CA. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia Inc ($66.5m), Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey ($66.9m) and Policylink ($66.5m).

On its Form 990 for the period ending December 2023, revenue came from contributions and grants 12% and program service revenue 86% of the total. Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees was $2.6m (4.1% of expenses). Other salaries and wages came to $21.6m. At year end it held assets of $37.5m against liabilities of $7.9m, net assets of $29.7m. It reported 1,171 employees.