Airbnb Community Fund supporting Domestic and Family Violence in Australia

Airbnb is proud to announce that ten organisations providing services for survivors of domestic and family violence organisations across Australia will receive donations from the Airbnb Community Fund, totalling $660,000 (USD).

Launched in 2020, Airbnb’s global Community Fund is a $100 million USD initiative to directly support local communities and the people who live there. Each year, Airbnb donates to organisations that are supporting and strengthening communities around the world, including donations made in partnership with local hosts in many of these communities.

We’re proud to partner with hosts to identify important issues and many of the non-profit organisations to receive donations. Airbnb hosts are deeply connected to their communities and by involving them in this process, we aim for the Fund to drive meaningful local impact. As in previous years, hosts helped direct a majority of the donations.

Airbnb Community Fund Recipients

On International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Airbnb is announcing support for organisations delivering essential services to those experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV). These donations will fund additional resourcing, staffing and nights of accommodation, helping these organisations meet growing demand for their services.

According to Our Watch, in Australia women are more likely to experience violence from someone they know than by a stranger (35 percent vs 11 percent¹) and 2 in 5 women (39 percent) have experienced violence since the age of 15.

The Airbnb Community Fund recipients play a crucial role in supporting women and children when they need it most, and in combating the scourge of domestic and family violence, which has been declared a ‘national crisis’².

We hope our contribution on this White Ribbon Day, helps strengthen the vital frontline services that protect women and children. 

Organisations receiving donations in Australia include:

• Lou’s Place: The only community-based daytime drop-in centre for women in Sydney, NSW, providing holistic support offering safety, dignity and empowerment
• Catherine House: South Australia’s leading emergency service provider for women, offering recovery-oriented support and safe accommodation
• Safe Steps: Victoria’s only statewide 24/7 crisis response service assisting thousands of people each year with immediate, life-saving support and crisis accommodation
• DVConnect: Queensland’s peak DFV service, delivering wrap-around support and operating Bella’s Sanctuary, an emergency accommodation centre
• Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence: A leading service provider in Western Australia with a commitment to holistic care to help prevent domestic and family violence and empowering women and children to live free from family and domestic violence

Globally, members of local Host Clubs, which are led by volunteer hosts, nominated local, community-based non-profit organisations making a difference in their communities and then helped select the finalists.

Organisations throughout Australia receiving donations include: 

• You Matter (Aus) Ltd: Supporting women and children who have experienced family violence by setting up and furnishing safe homes across metropolitan Melbourne
• Sydney Women’s Fund: Working with grassroots charities, philanthropists, donors and governments to reduce socials inequality including raising funds to support essential frontline services as part of the Urgent Domestic and Sexual Violence Appeal
• Rizeup Limited: A national organisation partnering with domestic violence agencies to enhance their services and driving awareness of domestic and family violence
• Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Shelter Indigenous Corporation: Providing safe shelter, 24-hour crisis support, and holistic services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children affected by homelessness and domestic, family and sexual violence
• Zahra Foundation Australia: A not-for-profit that supports women impacted by domestic abuse, providing free programs, services, education and grants so every woman in Australia impacted by domestic abuse is economically empowered and safe

Susan Wheeldon, Airbnb Australia Country Manager, said: 

“I am proud that Airbnb is supporting ten worthy organisations that provide services for survivors of domestic and family violence across Australia. The donations will stretch from Darwin to Perth and back along the east coast, ensuring critical frontline services are given a boost, at a time when they are sadly experiencing high demand. 

“Every Australian from the Prime Minister down wants to turn the tide on this epidemic and it’s clear that every person and organisation needs to play a role.” 

Amanda Greaney, CEO of Lou’s Place: 

“This donation will help us cover the things people rarely see but that are essential, including supporting the wages of the team who show up each day to listen deeply, hold space and respond to women who have experienced significant trauma and are often in emotional distress. Your support helps us continue to provide a place where women feel respected, understood and never alone.”

Julie Duncan, CEO of Catherine House said:

“Catherine House is grateful to be the recipient of a donation through the Airbnb Community Fund. Ensuring we can provide women with safe and supported accommodation after experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, and trauma, is key to our recovery model of support. We could not provide our service without the support of our wonderful partners like Airbnb. Together, we are making a positive impact on the lives of women in South Australia.”

Nicole McKenna, Sydney host club said:

“The Sydney Women’s Fund matters because it supports the heartland of our community by lifting up women and keeping them safe when they are most vulnerable and when they need it most. I love it because it creates a place where women and families can thrive and feel equal, valued and safe. A place where gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status don’t determine their fate. It’s values driven and that means everything to me. I’m grateful that Airbnb supported them and I know that they were beyond grateful.”

The Airbnb Community Fund in action

To date, the Airbnb Community Fund has distributed more than $36 million USD to non-profit organisations in nearly 70 countries, with hosts providing input each year. 

In Australia, Airbnb has previously donated to Flourish Australia, Women’s Legal Service NSW, Catherine House, Launceston Women’s Shelter Inc (Magnolia Place), Domestic Violence Prevention Centre Gold Coast Inc and The Great Barrier Reef Foundation helping support the efforts of a diverse range of organisations to make a difference in their community.

Through these initiatives, Airbnb continues to invest in the communities where we operate, empowering our hosts and supporting causes that matter most to them. We look forward to continuing this work in the years to come.

To learn more about the Airbnb Community Fund and recent recipients, please visit the Airbnb Community Fund website.

This year’s Airbnb Community Fund donations are being distributed from November 2025 through early 2026. Airbnb works with partner organisations to support due diligence and facilitate payment to many of the recipient organisations.

If you or anyone you know needs support please contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). 

Airbnb Australia 2025 Community Fund donations are $660,000 USD, which as of November 2025 is approximately $1,000,000 AUD.