Passes our checks

Playa Del Fuego Inc

EIN 83-0352243 · Baltimore, MD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

What it says it does

We build an interactive, experiential, sustainable environment that encourages a culture of play, artistic creativity and freedom of expression.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 84% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Reserves
35 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 40.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15
Income fell 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
10 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5
Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10
Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)

$97,398 spent. Playa del Fuego is a community-driven, temporary experiment in collaborative community building - featuring interactive and experiential art and music, a gifting economy, and striving to Leave No Trace. This temporary community is created by volunteers working together utilizing the Ten Principles of Burning Man as a guide. There are no spectators at Playa del Fuego; everyone collaborates in some way to create the event. It's a place for radical self-expression, acceptance, inclusivity, and respect.
$97,396 spent. Constellation is an opportunity for our community to come together to connect, explore, build, burn, heal, dance and challenge ourselves to go beyond the boundaries of what we all think is possible. Our collaboratively built city will be constructed entirely from the imaginations of the city's inhabitants.
The FirePony Creative Society Community Art and Civic Engagement program seeks to engage our broader community year round. CACE builds on the vision of the FirePony Creative Society in extending FirePony activities beyond the burn events. We Support projects in local mid-Atlantic communities including community service, community-driven art, and the sharing of ideas and skills

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.