Against a backdrop of communities around the world battling the devastating effects of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, the launch of Airbnb.org , a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, was announced. ) dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis.
Airbnb.org will collaborate with the Community Sponsored Relief Effort (CORE) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to provide staff battling the spread of COVID-19 with stays.
Airbnb is committed to donating 400,000 shares to support the Airbnb.org company and an additional $6 million will be contributed by co-founders Joe Gebbia, Brian Chesky and Nate Blecharczyk.
The launch of Airbnb.org, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was announced against a backdrop of communities around the world battling the catastrophic effects of natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic. ) dedicated to facilitating extended stays in times of crisis for individuals.
The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012, when a host named Shell opened the doors of her home to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. This marked the beginning of a program that enables Airbnb hosts to provide those who need it most with stays. Since then the program has grown to focus on disaster relief and help for the spread of COVID-19 to displaced people, humanitarian staff, refugees and medical personnel. More than 100,000 hosts have volunteered to open their homes’ doors and given 75,000 people accommodation.
The initial commitments of the organization include $2 million to fund collaborations with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Federation (IFRC) and the Group Coordinated Relief Effort (CORE). Airbnb.org will include $1 million over the next two years to cover stays for IFRC workers and volunteers who help keep COVID-19 from spreading. The $1 million donation will be used by CORE to finance stays for employees performing free COVID-19 monitoring, touch tracing, and flu vaccine testing.
In order to direct its strategy, Airbnb.org will collaborate with governments and trusted partners. It will also partner with local and global non-profits such as the International Rescue Committee, CARE, Mercy Corps, HIAS, and other entities to link those they support with temporary stays, in addition to expanding relationships with the IFRC and CORE. This will allow you to build services and better serve the communities, including traditionally underserved communities, that you aspire to support.