I just read an article that said Burning Man did not immediately sell out this year. Capacity is 73,000 and there remains about 3000 tickets for sale.

Then said that these tickets can cost over $500 each. I was shocked so I asked ChatGPT to comment on the total revenue.

I am amazed to see that it takes in $50 million every year. Somebody's making a few dollars profit!


To estimate the total ticket revenue for Burning Man, you can use the following method:

1. **Assuming a Range of Ticket Prices**:
- Main Sale Ticket Price: $575
- Low-Income Ticket Price: $225
- FOMO Sale Ticket Price: $1,500
- OMG Sale Ticket Price: $575 (using this as an average for simplicity)

2. **Estimating the Distribution**:
- Let's assume a rough distribution:
- 60% Main Sale Tickets
- 10% Low-Income Tickets
- 20% FOMO Sale Tickets
- 10% OMG Sale Tickets

3. **Calculating Revenue**:
- Total Attendees: 70,000
- Main Sale Tickets (60% of 70,000): 42,000 tickets at $575 each
- Low-Income Tickets (10% of 70,000): 7,000 tickets at $225 each
- FOMO Sale Tickets (20% of 70,000): 14,000 tickets at $1,500 each
- OMG Sale Tickets (10% of 70,000): 7,000 tickets at $575 each

Revenue Calculation:
- Main Sale Tickets: 42,000 x $575 = $24,150,000
- Low-Income Tickets: 7,000 x $225 = $1,575,000
- FOMO Sale Tickets: 14,000 x $1,500 = $21,000,000
- OMG Sale Tickets: 7,000 x $575 = $4,025,000

**Total Revenue** = $24,150,000 + $1,575,000 + $21,000,000 + $4,025,000 = **$50,750,000**

This is a rough estimate based on assumed ticket distributions and average prices. Actual revenue might differ based on the exact number of tickets sold at each price point and additional factors like fees or other ticket types.

Add another $150 for vehicle parking/access pass. Sheesh!

concordtom said:

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I just read an article that said Burning Man did not immediately sell out this year. Capacity is 73,000 and there remains about 3000 tickets for sale.

Then said that these tickets can cost over $500 each. I was shocked so I asked ChatGPT to comment on the total revenue.

I am amazed to see that it takes in $50 million every year. Somebody's making a few dollars profit!


To estimate the total ticket revenue for Burning Man, you can use the following method:

1. **Assuming a Range of Ticket Prices**:
- Main Sale Ticket Price: $575
- Low-Income Ticket Price: $225
- FOMO Sale Ticket Price: $1,500
- OMG Sale Ticket Price: $575 (using this as an average for simplicity)

2. **Estimating the Distribution**:
- Let's assume a rough distribution:
- 60% Main Sale Tickets
- 10% Low-Income Tickets
- 20% FOMO Sale Tickets
- 10% OMG Sale Tickets

3. **Calculating Revenue**:
- Total Attendees: 70,000
- Main Sale Tickets (60% of 70,000): 42,000 tickets at $575 each
- Low-Income Tickets (10% of 70,000): 7,000 tickets at $225 each
- FOMO Sale Tickets (20% of 70,000): 14,000 tickets at $1,500 each
- OMG Sale Tickets (10% of 70,000): 7,000 tickets at $575 each

Revenue Calculation:
- Main Sale Tickets: 42,000 x $575 = $24,150,000
- Low-Income Tickets: 7,000 x $225 = $1,575,000
- FOMO Sale Tickets: 14,000 x $1,500 = $21,000,000
- OMG Sale Tickets: 7,000 x $575 = $4,025,000

**Total Revenue** = $24,150,000 + $1,575,000 + $21,000,000 + $4,025,000 = **$50,750,000**

This is a rough estimate based on assumed ticket distributions and average prices. Actual revenue might differ based on the exact number of tickets sold at each price point and additional factors like fees or other ticket types.

Add another $150 for vehicle parking/access pass. Sheesh!

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What costs do the organizers take on?

Assigning precise dollar amounts to each category of expenses for Burning Man is challenging because the Burning Man Project does not publicly break down its exact costs in a granular way. However, based on available financial reports and estimates, here is a general breakdown with approximate costs for some major categories:

### 1. **Permitting and Government Fees**: Approximately **$3-4 million**
- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) charges a hefty fee, which includes permit fees and an additional 3% of gross ticket revenue. This cost has been reported to be in the range of $3-4 million per year.

### 2. **Infrastructure and Operations**: Approximately **$12-15 million**
- Building Black Rock City requires significant resources, including road construction, lighting, water, porta-potties, and heavy equipment rentals. Setting up and dismantling the entire city involves substantial labor and logistics.

### 3. **Environmental Protection and Cleanup**: Approximately **$1-2 million**
- Burning Man adheres to strict "Leave No Trace" principles. The costs include cleanup crews, equipment, and restoration efforts to ensure the playa is left in a pristine state.

### 4. **Art Grants and Support**: Approximately **$1-2 million**
- The Burning Man Project provides grants for large-scale art installations. In 2022, they allocated over $1.5 million to artists for constructing their projects at the event.

### 5. **Event Staffing and Volunteers**: Approximately **$5-7 million**
- While many roles are filled by volunteers, there are significant costs for training, managing, and supporting these volunteers. Paid staff and temporary workers also add to this expense.

### 6. **Public Safety and Emergency Services**: Approximately **$3-4 million**
- This includes medical services, emergency response teams, and collaboration with law enforcement agencies.

### 7. **Logistics and Transportation**: Approximately **$2-3 million**
- Transporting materials, art installations, and equipment to the remote desert location is a major logistical challenge.

### 8. **Insurance and Legal Fees**: Approximately **$2-3 million**
- The event requires significant insurance coverage, including liability, fire, and environmental insurance. Legal costs related to permits, compliance, and disputes also add up.

### 9. **Administrative and Operational Costs**: Approximately **$10-12 million**
- The Burning Man Project operates year-round, with offices, staff salaries, technology infrastructure, and general administrative expenses.

### 10. **Community Programs and Outreach**: Approximately **$2-3 million**
- This includes funding for regional events, global initiatives, and community outreach efforts that the organization supports year-round.

### **Total Estimated Costs**: **$40-55 million**

These estimates give a rough picture of the significant expenses incurred by the Burning Man Project. Keep in mind that the figures can vary depending on the year, attendance, and any unexpected costs or changes in scale.

source ChatGPT

If Burning Man goes tits up, a lot of HazMat guys are going to be hitting the bricks looking for work.

Pretty good revenue and expense estimates. As a non profit (The Burning Man Project), they are required to file a tax return for info purposes, a 990. This is a public document. Took a look at a couple, Revenue does run to $50 million and they clear $2 to 3 million each year.

LudwigsFountain said:

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Pretty good revenue and expense estimates. As a non profit (The Burning Man Project), they are required to file a tax return for info purposes, a 990. This is a public document. Took a look at a couple, Revenue does run to $50 million and they clear $2 to 3 million each year.

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Thx for adding that.

Note the "paid staff" section.
Just because you run a nonprofit doesn't mean you can't take in large executive salary.

I again engaged ChatGPT:

Some of the highest-paid nonprofit executives often lead large health systems, educational institutions, or charitable organizations. Here are a few examples of nonprofit executives who are known to receive substantial compensation:

1. **John R. Strangfeld** - Former CEO of Prudential Financial, a nonprofit life insurance organization, with a compensation package that reached into the millions.

2. **Michael Crow** - President of Arizona State University, whose salary and bonuses have made him one of the highest-paid university presidents in the nonprofit education sector.

3. **Dr. Delos "Toby" Cosgrove** - Former CEO of the Cleveland Clinic, a nonprofit medical center, who was among the top earners in nonprofit healthcare.

4. **Renu Khator** - Chancellor and President of the University of Houston, known for receiving one of the highest salaries among leaders of public universities.

5. **Mark G. Parker** - Nike Foundation's CEO, who, while primarily involved in the corporate side, also oversees one of the largest nonprofit arms connected to a corporation.

Executives at large hospital systems, prestigious universities, and major foundations often have compensation packages that include salary, bonuses, benefits, and deferred compensation, leading to multi-million dollar figures annually.



Here are 10 nonprofit executives with their titles, organizations, and compensation figures based on publicly available data from recent years:

1. **Michael Dowling**
- **Title**: CEO
- **Organization**: Northwell Health (Healthcare System)
- **Compensation**: ~$4.8 million

2. **Dr. David Torchiana**
- **Title**: Former CEO
- **Organization**: Partners HealthCare (now Mass General Brigham)
- **Compensation**: ~$4.7 million

3. **Ronald DePinho**
- **Title**: Former President
- **Organization**: MD Anderson Cancer Center
- **Compensation**: ~$4.4 million

4. **Dr. Mitchell Katz**
- **Title**: President & CEO
- **Organization**: NYC Health + Hospitals
- **Compensation**: ~$2.9 million

5. **Dr. Marna Borgstrom**
- **Title**: Former CEO
- **Organization**: Yale New Haven Health System
- **Compensation**: ~$3.6 million

6. **Peter Salovey**
- **Title**: President
- **Organization**: Yale University
- **Compensation**: ~$1.7 million

7. **Kenneth Davis**
- **Title**: CEO
- **Organization**: Mount Sinai Health System
- **Compensation**: ~$5.6 million

8. **Anthony Tersigni**
- **Title**: Former President & CEO
- **Organization**: Ascension Health (Catholic nonprofit health system)
- **Compensation**: ~$13 million

9. **William F. Thompson**
- **Title**: Former CEO
- **Organization**: Thompson Health
- **Compensation**: ~$3.4 million

10. **Gail McGovern**
- **Title**: President & CEO
- **Organization**: American Red Cross
- **Compensation**: ~$1 million

These figures can vary year by year, as they often include salary, bonuses, and deferred compensation. Nonprofit executives leading large healthcare systems or prestigious universities tend to be among the highest-paid.



The Burning Man event is organized by a nonprofit organization called the Burning Man Project. As of recent information, **Marian Goodell** is the CEO of the Burning Man Project. Her salary and compensation have been reported in nonprofit filings, but specific figures are generally not as high as those of executives in large health systems or universities.

In the past, her compensation was reported to be around **$400,000 to $450,000** annually, which includes salary and benefits. This can vary year to year based on performance, event revenues, and other factors. The Burning Man Project operates as a nonprofit focused on arts and cultural events, and Goodell has been one of the primary leaders in shaping the organization's direction.



In addition to Marian Goodell, some other key leaders of the Burning Man Project have received significant compensation as part of the nonprofit's management team. While their salaries are generally lower than executives at large nonprofits, some do receive substantial pay. Here are a few leaders associated with the Burning Man Project:

1. **Harley Dubois**
- **Title**: Chief Culture Officer (and one of the co-founders)
- **Compensation**: Reportedly in the range of $250,000 to $300,000

2. **Larry Harvey** (until his passing in 2018)
- **Title**: Founder and Chief Philosophical Officer
- **Compensation**: Before his passing, his compensation was reportedly around $200,000 to $250,000

3. **Raymond Allen**
- **Title**: Chief Operations Officer
- **Compensation**: Estimated at $250,000 to $300,000

4. **Christopher Breedlove**
- **Title**: Director of Civic Activation
- **Compensation**: Reported to be around $200,000

The organization's executive team includes several other senior leaders, but these are some of the more prominent names. Compensation at Burning Man tends to be aligned with its nonprofit arts and culture mission, so it's lower compared to executives in sectors like healthcare or education but still significant for the scale of the event.

The origin of Burning Man dates back to 1986 in San Francisco. The event began as an impromptu gathering organized by Larry Harvey and his friend Jerry James. One evening, they built an 8-foot wooden effigy of a man and burned it on Baker Beach, near the Golden Gate Bridge. The act was largely spontaneous, driven by a mix of personal expression, a desire for community, and a celebration of the summer solstice. Around 20 people gathered to witness this first "burn."

The burning of the man symbolized many things to Harvey and the early participantsart, self-expression, and the impermanence of life. The event quickly attracted others, becoming an annual ritual at Baker Beach.

As the crowds grew over the next few years, the event outgrew its location. In 1990, the San Francisco police intervened due to concerns over safety and the size of the gathering, preventing the burn on the beach. This led to a pivotal shift: the event was moved to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, a remote and expansive playa, where it evolved into what is now known as the week-long Burning Man festival.

With the move to the desert, the event took on new dimensions, including principles like radical self-reliance, communal effort, and leaving no trace. It also allowed for large-scale art installations, camps, and performances. The desert environment added an element of challenge, emphasizing self-sufficiency and community cooperation.

Over the years, Burning Man expanded into a global cultural movement, with the founding of the nonprofit Burning Man Project to oversee the event and related activities. The event now draws around 70,000 participants each year and is renowned for its creative and participatory culture. The iconic "Man" effigy, which is ceremonially burned on the penultimate night, remains the focal point of the gathering.

Burning Man is built on 10 core principles that guide its culture:
Radical Inclusion,
Gifting,
Decommodification,
Radical Self-Reliance,
Radical Self-Expression,
Communal Effort,
Civic Responsibility,
Leaving No Trace,
Participation, and
Immediacy.

Today, Burning Man has inspired regional burns and communities worldwide, keeping its original spirit of creativity, self-expression, and community alive.

Burning Man officially became a nonprofit event in **2014** when the ownership of the event was transferred to the nonprofit organization **Burning Man Project**. Prior to that, it was run by Black Rock City LLC, a for-profit company founded by Burning Man organizers to manage the growing event.

The decision to transition to a nonprofit was made to ensure that Burning Man's core principles and culture would continue sustainably and with greater community involvement. The move also allowed the organization to focus more on expanding its global reach, supporting art and civic projects, and fostering regional events inspired by the original Burning Man gathering.

With the transition, the Burning Man Project took on responsibility for running the annual event in the Black Rock Desert and for guiding the broader cultural movement associated with Burning Man principles.

The first year Burning Man was held in the desert was **1990**. After being prevented from burning the effigy on San Francisco's Baker Beach by authorities, the organizers decided to move the event to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The vast, remote playa provided the freedom and space needed to allow the event to grow without restrictions. About 80 people attended that first desert gathering, marking the beginning of Burning Man's transformation from a small beach gathering into the large-scale cultural phenomenon it is today.

Here's a summary of Burning Man's key milestones by year, location, estimated crowd size, and revenue where available:

1. **1986**
- **Location**: Baker Beach, San Francisco, California
- **Crowd Size**: ~20 people
- **Revenue**: N/A (informal gathering)

2. **1987-1989**
- **Location**: Baker Beach, San Francisco, California
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~50 to ~300 people
- **Revenue**: N/A (informal gathering, no ticket sales)

3. **1990**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada (first year in the desert)
- **Crowd Size**: ~80 people
- **Revenue**: Estimated at under $1,000 (small, donation-based event)

4. **1991**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~250 people
- **Revenue**: Minimal (early ticketing begins; estimated low thousands)

5. **1992-1995**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~600 (1992) to ~4,000 (1995)
- **Revenue**: Revenue increased as ticketing became more formalized, reaching an estimated ~$75,000 by 1995.

6. **1996**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~8,000 people
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$350,000

7. **1997-1999**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~10,000 (1997) to ~15,000 (1999)
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$1 million by 1999

8. **2000-2005**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~25,000 (2000) to ~35,000 (2005)
- **Revenue**: Revenue grew significantly, reaching ~$7 million by 2005

9. **2006-2010**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~39,000 (2006) to ~51,000 (2010)
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$12 million (2010)

10. **2011-2013**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: Grew from ~53,000 (2011) to ~68,000 (2013)
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$20 million by 2013

11. **2014** (First Year as a Nonprofit)
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~65,000
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$30 million

12. **2015-2019**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~70,000 annually
- **Revenue**: Revenue ranged from ~$38 million to ~$45 million annually during this period

13. **2020-2021** (Canceled due to COVID-19)
- **Location**: Virtual (online events held)
- **Crowd Size**: N/A
- **Revenue**: Limited due to the event's cancellation (Burning Man Project faced financial challenges)

14. **2022**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~80,000
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$46 million

15. **2023**
- **Location**: Black Rock Desert, Nevada
- **Crowd Size**: ~73,000
- **Revenue**: Estimated ~$45 million

Burning Man's growth has been marked by an increasing focus on community, art, and radical self-expression, with revenue largely driven by ticket sales, donations, and other fees.

A cousin listed on Facebook the selling of two tickets yesterday.

My much younger half-brother has sky-dived into BM with a huge group of jumpers. He also got my very conservative parents to attend in a swank RV.

I have never gone.

Cousins on my moms side used to go every year. But that was like 8-10 years ago. The parents are now older and the kids have little kids. I think they've curtailed their attendance.

I wonder if the spectacle is fading, or maybe just a pause before reforming into something even bigger. Where there's money, people will develop it into bigger.

They should merge it with the Sturgis event. Women attend free.

concordtom, are you a "burner"? Just wondering why you're posting all this...

An old friend of mine from Cal -- somebody who I like and respect -- is a long-time, big-time burner. Personally, it's about the last thing I would ever do, but different strokes for different folks...

Big C said:

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concordtom, are you a "burner"? Just wondering why you're posting all this...

An old friend of mine from Cal -- somebody who I like and respect -- is a long-time, big-time burner. Personally, it's about the last thing I would ever do, but different strokes for different folks...

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I have no desire to go. Not my type of crowd at all.
That said, I am a bit intrigued by the event. Many aspects. It's the typical "if you build it"… I could dream up a different type of If You Build It, but it would be a year round thing that promotes issues that I favor.

Gawking at weirdos is how I interpret BM, though I imagine long timers would say "you just don't get it." They'd be right.

I posted all this because I saw a news article that addressed how attendance might have peaked, 3000 tickets were available at start of week.

I live near I-80, up by Auburn, and I have watched Burner traffic hit before and after, coming and going. I'd be driving kids to school and lots of trailers (loaded improperly in some cases) going up and then a dirty caravan of wastoids coming back. It cracks me up (and is a notable increase of traffic).

I look forward to the era of solar-powered cars when burners can do a better job of living out their Core Principal of "Leave No Trace". Better yet, stay at home.

I dunno… I suppose we can discuss the virtues and the curiosity for a long time.

I thought it was quite a thing the year that guy ran into the fire. We covered that here on BI extensively at the time. I think it was 6 years ago.

I do think all the art projects are pretty cool.
I think the neon lit structures and bikes of various designs are interesting.
I understand the desert night at BM becomes a completely different landscape. That would be interesting to experience.

Tell me this isn't a spectacle:

If you went with a DNA kit and collected samples you could probably solve 50 cold cases, minimum.

Was last year the year it was pouring rain and they were trapped in two feet of mud? That cracked me up...

Big C said:

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Was last year the year it was pouring rain and they were trapped in two feet of mud? That cracked me up...

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I was just about to post this lol
How did they get approved for another year didn't people leave vehicles and stuff ,? Who cleaned that up ?