Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival aims to clear $18,000 of debt by February 3.

Festival director Colin Thompson launched the campaign in an effort to raise the money by February 3. To date, donations total $3570.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make, especially with the potentially negative connotations and speculation about whether the festival will continue," he said.

"We can't count on sponsorship or grant funds to come in within that timeframe to cover it for us.  We needed to take action now."

The Go Fund Me account titled "Help BBRMF survive/thrive past 2016" says the biggest single cost incurred at last year's event was accommodation for visiting artists. 

Accommodation costs, combined with some ticketed events being under-supported, have left the festival in debt.

"There were a small number of shows that were under-supported, but they were all ticketed events that were underwritten by the festival," Mr Thompson said.

"There are always going to be expenses, and most you can predict, but some are unfortunately unpredictable and completely unexpected. 

"From all the feedback we've received, the participating venues all did very well from the weekend."

The festival started in 2011 with 60 acts playing at 15 venues. In six years it has grown to 180 acts playing at almost 50 venues.

It receives support from the City of Greater Bendigo's major events team, Bendigo Tourism, grants, fundraising events and other organisations who take out corporate sponsorship or offer services.

"Major Events are immensely helpful, not only in sponsoring our all-day family-friendly concert in Rosalind Park, but in facilitating a lot of logistical support and helping get other council departments to the table to work with us and help cut costs," Mr Thompson said.

City of Greater Bendigo major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said he applauded Mr Thompson and his committee for taking the initiative to raise funds.

"I know Colin and his committee are really positive and proactive people," he said.

"The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival is a valuable piece property for the city and we have a keen interest in seeing it sustainable. 

"In only a few short years it has had a tremendous impact on the city and we have a keen desire to continue to work with them."

"They're working hard to find new ways to help us this year as well, which is greatly appreciated."

Mr Karamaloudis said the city provided a sponsorship package to the festival that included cash, marketing and in-kind services.

"We also provide assistance with compliance and permits and are firmly committed to supporting the festival's growth and sustainability," he said.

"Sponsorship for events (in general) has declined and things are getting tougher. So for them to think outside the square and launch (something like this) is a good idea."

Mr Thompson said the debt the festival started with each calendar year varied in size, but that long-term plans would allow the festival to break even and possibly finish ahead from this year.

"The ins and outs of the bank account are roughly even when all is said and done, but it's the timing of the ins that is currently out of whack with the outs - that is the killer," he said.

"Bendigo council and others are helping us explore new financial models and to create more income streams to help ease the financial burden the festival represents to our core crew.

"But my primary focus is clearing our shortfall by February 3 so that the bank is happy and we can focus on delivering another great (festival)."

Mr Thompson said if the funds were not raised by the deadline, the effects would be unseen externally.

"It'll just mean personal debt to myself and my family, which is what I would obviously like to avoid," he said.

"(The festival) doesn't personally make any money, even when it finishes in the black, but that doesn't mean we're keen to be financial slaves to it either."

An economic impact report released by City of Greater Bendigo’s economic development unit said the 2016 festival brought $3.4 million into the local economy.

“The economic benefit to the city is a bi-product that we're very proud of, but we're not a commercial venture," Mr Thompson said.

"Our plan is to keep as much of the program as free and accessible as possible.  

“I'll never let our festival become a commercial beast, accessible only to those who can afford tickets of $100 or more.  

"We're about growing audiences, not reducing them."

Mr Thompson also said there was no danger of the festival closing down.

"It will go on regardless, it's just a matter of how much stress and strain it causes the core team,” he said,

"There will be a reduction of the overall number of acts participating (this year) only because it takes so long to schedule more than 180 acts.”

"So we've decided to trim the intake to around 110 acts. We don't expect the audience numbers to diminish regardless of the fine tuning we do this year and beyond."

Mr Thompson said in the short term, the festival already had plans to generate funds for the festival but that none would help the current shortfall in the necessary time frame.

"That's why we needed to go public and ask our friends, followers and supporters if they could help us get over the hump," he said.

"I'm hopeful that, with all the goodwill we've created over the last six years, that there will be enough people willing to help us out with enough small donations that we can get through the temporary rough patch."

The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival crowdfunding campaign closes on February 3.

Log on to www.gofundme.com/help-bbrmf-survivethrive-past-2016 to donate.