When Hurricane Sandy hit in 2012, an Airbnb host named Michelle opened up her home for free to people displaced by the disaster. Other hosts followed.
“And that was the beginning of what would become Airbnb.org,” said Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky at Airbnb.org’s inaugural gala on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Hollywood’s Milk Studios.
Airbnb formally launched Airbnb.org in December 2020, and to date, the nonprofit has provided more than 1.6 million nights of free housing to more than 250,000 people around the world in times of crisis. “Behind every stay was a guest who needed help and a host who had the generosity to help them,” said Chesky, who recognized the many guest hosts from around the world invited to attend the gala.
Also supporting were a bevy of stars and philanthropists, including Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves McConaughey, Zoe Saldaña, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, Jessica Alba, Serena Williams and Cynthia Erivo.
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the event, which started with a cocktail hour before guests proceeded into a room decorated with stunning florals for a dinner curated by chef José Andrés (comprised of a beet and citrus salad, wagyu beef and citrus sorbet dessert).
“We have great food, an excellent music host and a major announcement about the future of this organization,” Kimmel began. “But first, as your Airbnb host, we have some ground rules: Quiet hours start at 10 p.m. If you use dishes, please bring them to the sink. No pets are allowed unless they’re service animals — which we know none of them really are. And no sitting naked on the furniture or on chef José Andrés!” He added: “At the end of the show, you’ll have 14 days to post a review of your experience tonight.”
Chef Andrés, who founded the international nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK), and Theron both delivered remarks. “If you’ve ever sat down with a survivor of domestic violence, you know that somewhere to stay isn’t just a small thing — it’s actually everything,” Theron said. “People stay in danger for one reason more than any other reason: Is because the alternative is nowhere. South Africa, my home country, has some of the highest rates in domestic violence with women and young girls in the world. … You cannot make plans for a life if you don’t feel safe. Safety comes first, or nothing else at all. So I just want to thank you Brian, for opening a door.”
Following dinner, Chesky made an exciting announcement about the nonprofit’s future. “We asked ourselves, how can we even more people?” he said. “You see, we’re quite fortunate to have millions of hosts with homes all around the world. And I believe that gives us an opportunity and a responsibility to do more. Which is why I’m really excited to announce that, starting today, every time you book an Airbnb, you provide free emergency housing for people in need.”
He continued, “And the way this is going to work is that Airbnb will donate a portion of our revenue from every stay to Airbnb.org.”
This new model will help provide $500 million to Airbnb.org over the next five years, so the nonprofit can provide one million nights of free housing each year. Airbnb.org will also be able to expand its support beyond disaster relief to families traveling for medical care, survivors fleeing domestic violence and exploitation, and veterans facing serious illness or undergoing treatment. Guests supported by Airbnb.org stay for free and hosts will be paid for the stay. “The donation comes directly from Airbnb, so you’re helping just by traveling,” Chesky said.
Surprise performer Charli xcx closed out the night, luring the crowd around the stage to dance to her sultry hits like “Apple” and “Guess.”
But before, that Chesky left the audience on a note of hope. Noting how he started Airbnb almost 20 years ago (in 2007 in San Francisco — with roommate/co-founder Joe Gebbia and the original name AirBedandBreakfast), Chesky recalled the question he frequently got asked after hosting over two billion guests. “They said, ‘Brian, what have you learned about humanity two billion guests later?'” Chesky said.
“And my answer is actually pretty simple: ‘People are fundamentally good,'” Chesky relayed. “This business model would never have worked if not for the generosity of people all over the world. And so, I think it’s a part of our job to help people do even more good. And that’s what Airbnb.org does; it does more above and beyond. So now, every time you book on Airbnb, what you’ll be doing is helping someone in need.”
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