CEO Marian Goodell asked for millions of dollars in donations for the annual festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, declaring that the survival of the non-profit that organizes it is at stake. (The Logic)

Talking point: The community-driven event, where 70,000 “burners” congregate each year, is governed by 10 principles, including devotion to gifting and “radical self-reliance.” Yet Burning Man now has a US$5.7-million shortfall due to weak uptake of higher-priced tickets, with an additional US$3-million drop in receipts from regular tickets and vehicle passes this season, Goodell wrote in a blog post. The high-priced tier historically has offset deficits from regular tickets. Burning Man will need up to $20 million in donations to continue operating past this year—twice that of their usual donation requirement, she said. The organization landed in hot water last year when its campsites turned into an apocalyptic mud pit. –