About

Our Story

AzBwB History (Quick Timeline)

  • 2013
    Burners Without Borders Arizona (AzBwB) was sparked at a Burning Man leadership conference after Burners Without Borders Detroit and Seattle presented their community projects. Fulcrum remarks that Arizona should have a BwB chapter. Scotto responds, “Guess that’s you,” effectively volunteering Fulcrum to start it.
  • Early Years (2013–2016)
    AzBwB focuses on supporting and collaborating with existing community organizations across Arizona, showing up where help is needed and contributing volunteer labor, skills, and Burner-inspired approaches to service.
  • Formalization (Around 2017)
    As participation grows, new volunteers step forward to formalize the organization. Fulcrum steps back from day-to-day leadership to allow a new group to form a board, develop bylaws, and pursue nonprofit status. AzBwB becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and gains the ability to offer small grants to support community projects.
  • COVID-19 Impact (2020–2022)
    Like many community organizations, AzBwB experiences major disruptions. Participation declines, projects pause, and some organizational structures fall apart, while the core values and community spirit remain.

Rebuilding & Renewal (Present)

AzBwB is actively rebuilding, with Fulcrum serving as the Board’s President. The organization is seeking new board members and volunteers to help shape the next chapter and carry forward its mission of collaboration, mutual aid, and civic engagement.

Could it be you?

Click Here to Apply or Submit a Board Member Nomination

Burners Without Borders Arizona has always been built by people who step forward. Every phase of our history, from the moment Fulcrum was volunteered into starting the chapter, to the years of formalizing the nonprofit, to the rebuilding happening right now, has depended on community members who were willing to say yes before everything was figured out.

If you care about collaboration, mutual aid, civic engagement, and the Burner spirit beyond the event, this is your chance to help guide where AzBwB goes next. Serving on the board isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about showing up, taking responsibility, and helping create opportunities for others to do meaningful work together.

We are currently looking for new board members who want to be part of the rebuilding era and help shape the future of AzBwB in Arizona. If you’ve ever wanted to have a real voice in how projects happen, how resources are shared, and how our community grows, we encourage you to apply.

Mission

Arizona Burners Without Borders is a community-led hub for creating positive change in the Arizona Region through Volunteer Participation.

Our Vision

Arizona Burners Without Borders is a grassroots, volunteer-driven, community leadership program bringing meaningful change through the creativity of the local community that seeks solutions. We support volunteers around the Arizona Region in innovative relief solutions and community resiliency projects.