Impact
2024 Impact Numbers
- 16 BWB Chapters
- 30 BWB Working Groups
- A total of 46 activated groups across the globe
- 10 grants awarded across 9 focus areas spanning 3 continents
- 99 participants hosted at the BWB Spring Summit at Fly Ranch
- 7 partner groups supported in responding to Hurricane Helene
- 14 new projects connected through the BWB Project Proposal Form
- Hosted 99 campers at BWB-Black Rock City to share their powerful work in the world with one another and strengthen their global collaborations
- 4 community-led programs coordinated to advance sustainability in BRC
- 26 educational opportunities offered through BWBxEDU
- Launched 1 new BWB website for the community to use!
We’re thrilled to estimate that between the 7 chapters we’ve spoken with so far during End of Year Check-Ins, their work has positively impacted over 2,500 people in their communities! We have 39 more to go!
- We welcomed 1 new official BWB Chapter (BWB Colombia) and reactivated 2 working groups (BWB Heartland and BWB Philadelphia)!
If you’re a community leader (or want to be), join us in contributing to our worldwide impact story. Connect with your local BWB group and become part of our global network!
Our sustainability collaborations and initiatives in Black Rock City were highly successful this year with a marked increase in participation in BLAST, RAT, and other programs emerging from the Green Theme Camp Community (GTCC).
- 20 camps placed within the Green Corridor, doubling the neighborhood in size and expanding the demonstration of sustainable camp infrastructure.
- 85 Camps participated in Burner Leadership Achieving Sustainable Theme Camps (BLAST), a camp sustainability rating program on key infrastructure areas: power, water, food, waste, shelter, and transportation. Active participation increased 35% since 2023, comprising 6% of all placed camps.
- 39 art projects supported by Renewables for Artists Team (RAT) with renewable energy for power instead of relying on fossil-fuel generators.
- 10,500+ individuals participated in the Playawide Compost Program (14% of BRC), saving approximately 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide emission.
Supported 11 Projects Across 10 Subject Areas:
- The Ten Pieces Initiative by Doug Silton (Environment & Sustainability)
- The Pyramid Lake Spiritual Healing Center Video Communications Program (Indigenous Issues and Sovereignty)
- Maya Pedal by Raul Garcia (Community Development)
- Human Excellence Project by Paul Holliday (Health and Wellness)
- Food System Hackers by Shannon Dobbs (Food Access and Scarcity)
- Domes for Migrants by Al Otro Lado (Refugee and Migration Support)
- Ecoroots by Michael & Alora (Education and Skill Development)
- Burners Responding to Hurricane Helene (Disaster Response)
- 2nd Annual Burner Gear Giveback by Hailey Armer (Housing and Homelessness)
- EcoPazifico by Rommy Schreiber (Environment and Sustainability)
- Peronia Adolescente Film Comparsa (Youth)
The bread and butter of BWB are the projects we support and members create. Share your project with us via the BWB Project Proposal Form to see how we can support your impact.
In 2024 BWB funded 7 Civic Ignition Grant Workshops and granted 10 projects a total of $11,095. 4 regions matched funds to double the impact!
- Temple of Re:creation, Off-Road Sisters (Community Development)
- Biochar Effigy Burn Ray Cirino and Michael Whitman (Environment and Sustainability)
- Neurospicy Creators Space, Medusa Boost (Arts and Culture)
- The Intersection, a 12 Baskets Cafe Journal, Leslee N. Johnson (Poverty)
- Burner Gear Giveback, Hailey Armer (Housing and Homelessness)
- Pyramid Lake Spiritual Healing Center, Nellie Davis (Indigenous Issues and Sovereignty)
- Art in Hand, Rachael (Arts and Culture)
- Margi the Pizza Oven, Salvatore Autorino (Community Development)
- Preserving our Regional Burn Cultures & Communities, Stevan Lay (Education and Skill Development)
- Returning Wave, Lynn Bryant (Children and Youth)
Hosted 2 BWB Worldwide Calls:
The BWB Spring Summit brought together conversations centering on the theme, “Participating in the Parable”. There were 11 programming offerings. Some highlights Include:
- Future Storytelling (Ilana Lipset)
- Making Art with Mycelium (Miguel Guzman and Yvonne Ihoo)
- Indigenous Wisdom Stories (Dean Barlese)
- Journey of a Water Protector (Beverly and Autumn Harry)
- Collaborative Effigy Building Workshop (Nick Palmer)
We hosted 3 days of a Black Rock City speaker series, with 13 events focused on sustainability, creating impact, and building community. Recordings coming soon!
What People are Saying….
“The recent fires in Lahaina immediately illustrated the importance that communications above all else during times of emergency are critical. BWB has started us along this route which led to receiving our back up/repeater transmitter. Thank you for your support!”
-Michael Sofranko (Hawaii Radio Tower Repurpose Grantee)
“Such a delight to assist the BWB summit this past weekend and commune with others that believe that celebration is a key catalyst for systemic transformation.” -Jurgis