Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky donates historic $100M gift to SF Parks

Airbnb got its start in 2007 as a way to help our founders pay their rent in San Francisco. Nearly 20 years later, millions of hosts around the world rely on Airbnb income to stay in their homes.

San Francisco is our home, and the city's innovative and resilient spirit has played an important role in shaping Airbnb. As our company has grown, we continue working closely with city leaders to help make San Francisco more affordable for residents and create a positive impact on the local community.

Today, we are excited to share that Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky is building on that commitment and making a historic $100 million donation to San Francisco parks across the city. Brian's personal contribution-which is the largest-ever single-donor gift to the city-will directly benefit more than 1 in 10 San Franciscans, including 20,000 children and seniors, who will now have an improved park within half a mile of their home.

Brian and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced the donation at Golden Gate Park alongside Sarah Madland, Recreation and Park Department General Manager, Joi Jackson-Morgan, CEO of Third Street Youth Center and Clinic, members of the Board of Supervisors, and community members to celebrate this historic moment for San Franciscans. This donation will address a critical need in sustaining and improving the city's open spaces-ensuring they remain a source of connection for the whole community.

"San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and our parks are a big part of what makes it special," said Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO. "Since Mayor Lurie took office, we've talked about how we can make a meaningful difference for the people who live here. I've always believed in the power of bringing people together, and parks are where a city meets. I'm grateful to Mayor Lurie for his leadership, and proud to support the city we call home."

"San Francisco has nature, parks, beaches, and views that you can't find anywhere else, with affordable recreation programs where a kid discovers a love of baseball, a teenager finds mentorship, and a working parent knows their children are safe after school," said Mayor Lurie. "Access to these opportunities shouldn't depend on what neighborhood you live in or how much money your family makes. That's why I am proud to announce a groundbreaking $100 million gift from Brian Chesky to San Francisco's parks. With this new funding, we're bringing those opportunities to more neighborhoods across our city, expanding access to recreation, and making our parks even better for the families who use them. To every leader who sees what Brian has done today: Our city is coming back, and you have an opportunity not to watch from the sidelines but to be part of it."

The new funding will immediately allow the Recreation and Park Department (RPD) to accelerate five projects-transforming 24 acres in neighborhoods across the city-with additional projects to be identified over the coming year. The new resources will speed up construction timelines, deliver upgrades and programming, and close funding gaps-making new parks available to San Franciscans more quickly and providing broader opportunities to communities across the city.

$39 million will be immediately dedicated to accelerate projects in:

• SoMa West: Rachele Sullivan Park will be ready in late 2028 instead of 2031.
• The Mission: Updates to Garfield Square Park & Rec Center will be ready in mid-2028.
• Bayview: Helping India Basin Waterfront Park cross the finish line in early 2028.
• Potrero Hill: Full renovation of Jackson Playground, starting late next year.
• Embarcadero Park: Creating 5-acre waterfront park to be ready in late 2027.

$61 million will support additional projects to be identified by RPD over the next year. In addition to accelerating projects and closing funding gaps, these resources will support both capital costs and five years of maintenance and programing, allowing time for the city to identify ongoing funding streams.

"This is a game-changing investment in San Francisco's parks and people. It means long-awaited park projects move forward, more spaces for children and families to play, and stronger, more connected neighborhoods," said Sarah Madland, RPD General Manager. "We are incredibly grateful to Brian Chesky for helping turn community visions into lasting public benefits for generations to come."

"I learned to fish at India Basin and went to softball tryouts at Garfield. Those are some of my favorite memories of growing up in San Francisco," said Joi Jackson-Morgan, CEO of Third Street Youth Center and Clinic. "What makes me hopeful about this investment is how many more families will get to make memories like those, whether it's a Sunday swim at Garfield or a first trip down to the waterfront in Hunters Point. I want the next generation, wherever they grow up in San Francisco, to look around this city and say, 'Those are my parks."