The San Francisco band thats been in survival mode for 143 years

The Golden Gate Park Band has operated in survival mode for over 143 years, relying on donations to sustain its annual budget of $170,000 to $180,000. An anonymous donor provided $10,000 last year, following a $20,000 contribution the previous year to fill financial gaps. Musical director German Gonzalez aims to shift the band into a thriving organization by boosting audience attendance at performances such as “Disney Magic” on July 13 and the “Ukrainian Culture Celebration” on August 24. The band employs approximately 30 musicians, many of whom are former school band members, and offers free services, making it reliant on community donations. Despite its long history, many San Francisco residents remain unaware of the band, prompting Gonzalez to invest in sandwich board advertisements to promote concerts.

The band received $80,300 from city-funded Grants for the Arts and around $15,000 from the Recording Industry's Music Performance Trust Fund for its 2025 revenue. Gonzalez and the board are also exploring ways to secure more grants and encourage donations through unconventional means, such as selling donated LPs. Mark Nemoyten, the band's president, expressed hopes to double the budget in the coming years to hire an executive director and stage crew.