Supporting Frontline Workers with SEIU and the California Fire Foundation
Last month, Airbnb Co-Founder and CEO Brian Chesky announced his intention to personally donate $10 million to non-profit organizations around the world that support frontline workers responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
Today, Chesky announced that he will contribute $2 million of those funds to the SEIU Education and Support Fund (ESF) and the California Fire Foundation, two organizations working to meet the needs of frontline workers during the pandemic.
“We are all grateful for the work of frontline responders to keep us safe,” said Chesky. “I am honored to support the SEIU Education and Support Fund, the California Fire Foundation and the heroes and families they serve.”
ESF works closely with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to provide education and training programs that promote high quality jobs and empower workers and their families. Chesky’s support of ESF will help frontline healthcare workers who have been impacted by COVID-19 to cover family care costs, which have escalated as a result of the pandemic.
“Essential workers have been on the front lines of this pandemic, often without the support they need. We’ve called on corporations and elected leaders to respect us, protect us, and pay us. That’s why it’s great to see Airbnb step up like this to provide some relief. We need more CEOs to follow Brian Chesky’s lead and not just praise essential workers, but take meaningful action.”
Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
The California Fire Foundation provides emotional and financial assistance to the families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the communities they protect. Chesky’s donation will help the foundation continue to offer these vital services across California, including to emergency medical technicians responding to the COVID-19 crisis.
“The California Fire Foundation is grateful for this generous donation,” said Brian K. Rice, Chair of the California Fire Foundation. “In a year of unprecedented wildfires and a global pandemic, their support makes a tremendous difference to California firefighters, their families, and the communities they protect.”
Chesky’s support of ESF and the California Fire Foundation follows the launch last week of Airbnb.org, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis, including evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers and frontline workers. Chesky – along with Airbnb co-founders Joe Gebbia and Nate Blecharczyk – have committed $6 million to Airbnb.org.
This donation also builds on the work Airbnb and Chesky have previously done to support frontline workers and those in need during the crisis, offering over 220,000 places to stay for people responding to the pandemic.
In addition, Chesky has previously announced his intention to donate 100 percent of the net proceeds of his future equity compensation to community, philanthropic and charitable causes. Chesky has previously signed the Giving Pledge and committed to donate a majority of his wealth to philanthropic and charitable organizations.