Someone replied and then deleted a comment suggesting it was a money-losing project given the decades spent without completing it.

My impression was that someone might have an interest in perpetuating the "donations towards completion" thing. If someone takes in more than they spend on family slowly carving away, it can be "successful" for decades, right? Turning down millions from the government might suggest the donations were lucrative. "In 2018, the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation brought in $US12.5 million in admission and donations."

A completed, privately-owned ticket-selling attraction in the hands of non-Indians would be less appealing than a project with donations to supposedly honour someone.

The article mentions that the charity raised $12.5 million a year with $77 million in assets, in addition to the Korczak’s Heritage, Inc that runs the gift shop, food, and bussing. edit edited that in I see.

>A completed, privately-owned ticket-selling attraction in the hands of non-Indians would be less appealing than a project with donations to supposedly honour someone

They also use the creation as an attraction. When you see Mount Rushmore, you are left with a desire to see something like that being made. Crazy Horse offers you that chance by selling tickets to when explosions happen.