Published on: June 23, 2026, 10:55h.

Updated on: June 23, 2026, 11:15h.

• The highly anticipated Forever One Memorial, dedicated to the 58 victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting, is still facing a $7 million deficit out of its total $34 million budget.
• Even with the state denying funding assistance, significant contributions from major donors such as Clark County and MGM Resorts have increased total fundraising efforts to $27 million.
• Project leaders are committed to starting construction in fall 2026 to ensure the memorial’s opening on October 1, 2027, coinciding with the 10-year remembrance of the tragedy.

Nearly ten years following the Route 91 Harvest Festival mass shooting, the planned Forever One Memorial, dedicated to the 58 victims, is still $7 million short of its construction budget, as reported by the Vegas Strong Fund, the nonprofit organization managing the project.

The Forever One Memorial is slated to commence construction in fall 2026, with its supporters aiming for an opening by October 1, 2027 — the 10-year anniversary of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Work can proceed without the additional funding until reaching the project’s final phase.

The funding shortfall persists despite a reduced construction budget, adjusted from an initial estimate of $70 million to $34 million following cost assessments and public engagement.

In May 2023, more than 70 survivors, first responders, and medical personnel petitioned the Nevada state capitol for assistance in bridging the funding gap, but state support was not granted.

However, the donation rate has seen a notable uptick over the past year, jumping from approximately $4 million last October to the current total of $27 million. Major donations include:

• Clark County: $10 million
• MGM Resorts International: $5 million
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority: $5 million
• Live Nation: $5 million
• Las Vegas Golden Knights: $1 million

Funding Challenges and Delays

Experts highlight that funding challenges are common in long-term memorial projects as public interest wanes over time. While the initial response following the Route 91 shooting included an overwhelming wave of support—over $32 million was raised for victims and their families—sustaining charitable efforts proves to be especially hard once the emotional impact begins to diminish.

Moreover, donations directed toward survivors differ from those intended for a permanent tribute to a tragic event.

“Some individuals might prefer to forget and move on, rather than commemorating the past,” stated Stephen Benning, a psychologist from UNLV who studied the community’s recovery post-shooting, as mentioned in the Independent. “For those individuals, donating to a memorial may not be as compelling as it is for those who feel a profound sense of loss and believe the memorial is vital for healing the community.”

Fostering Recovery Through Remembrance

Nevertheless, a majority of survivors and the families of victims believe that memorials play a crucial role.

Karessa Royce, who sustained injuries including a collapsed lung and broken collarbone while attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival, expressed to the Independent that this memorial matters greatly not just for families, but also for the 22,000 attendees and the broader Las Vegas community.

“The stark reality is that we cannot overlook what occurred,” Royce asserted. “Everyone affected by that night will carry its weight forever; our community will never return to its previous state. We owe it to those families, the survivors, and first responders to see this project through.”