We’re building the first $100,000 of the TMF Future Fund to help ensure the Telluride Mushroom Festival can return year after year.

The oldest wild mushroom festival in North America, the Telluride Mushroom Festival, over the last 50 years has changed lives. Once weekend a year, TMF brings together scientists, artists, foragers, chefs, educators, and mushroom enthusiasts to celebrate the extraordinary world of fungi. What began as a small gathering has grown into an internationally recognized festival and a community dedicated to learning, connection, and discovery.

Here’s a story how Blake Westman met TMF founder at Paul Stamets at the event in 2004 which tuned into a lifelong career with mushrooms.

As the festival has grown, so have the costs of producing it.

Like many nonprofit organizations and live events, the Telluride Mushroom Festival faces rising expenses each year, from venues and staffing to equipment, insurance, transportation, and logistics. Ticket sales remain an essential source of support, but they are no longer enough to sustain the festival on their own. While sponsors help significantly, Team Mushroom needs more sponsor support as well. Without a financial buffer, in years where ticket sales are less than previous years, the financial impact can make it difficult not only to produce the current festival, but also to confidently plan for the next one.

To ensure this legacy tradition continues to thrive for decades to come, we've created the TMF Future Fund: a restricted sustainability fund dedicated to protecting the future of the Telluride Mushroom Festival.

The Future Fund will help TMF:

Build long-term financial and organizational sustainability
Prepare for years when ticket revenue is unpredictable
Continue attracting world-class speakers and educators
Invest in future programming and community experiences
Preserve the festival's mission for generations to come
Educational programming and workshops
Scientific collaboration and research partnerships
Community events and cultural experiences
Access to world-renowned speakers and educators
Create future generations of mushroom enthusiasts

Founding Future Fund Member Benefits

A gift of $100 or more annually automatically makes you a Founding Future Fund Member.

As a thank you for investing in the future of the festival, Founding Members receive:

15% off future Telluride Mushroom Festival tickets and passes
15% off TMF merchandise
Exclusive member communications and campaign updates
Recognition as a Founding Future Fund Member
The pride of knowing you helped launch a lasting initiative that will benefit the festival for years to come

Your membership is more than a donation—it's an investment in the future of a festival that has inspired thousands through science, education, art, community, and a shared appreciation for fungi.

The Campaign Is Already Building Momentum

In just four weeks since launching the TMF Future Fund, we've already secured $28,000 in leadership gifts from some of our most dedicated supporters (festival attendees who have been part of the TMF community for more than 10 years and believe deeply in its future).

We're also honored to have received a $25,000 Patron Level Challenge Match from The Humboldt Foundation, giving every new donation the opportunity to make an even greater impact as we work toward our inaugural goal.

Whether you make a leadership gift, help unlock the challenge match, or become a Founding Future Fund Member with a gift of $100 or more, you're joining the community that is building the financial future of the Telluride Mushroom Festival.

Telluride Mushroom Festival Future Fund

Contribute to the future of the Telluride Mushroom Festival

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