Local nonprofits BakerRipley and Houston Area Women’s Center are recipients of Airbnb’s 2023 Community Fund grants. The two organizations received a combined $175,000 in grants and are among more than 120 nonprofit recipients worldwide, including 40 in the US, selected by Airbnb and our Host community.
In 2023, the Airbnb Community Fund granted a total of $10 million to organizations around the world, nearly $8 million of which was directed in partnership with our Hosts. This year’s Community Fund grants support both national and regional organizations that address key issues identified by our Host Advisory Board, including environmental sustainability, economic empowerment, and ending abuse and exploitation. Recipients also include hyperlocal, community-based organizations chosen by local Host Club members.
As part of our commitment to sharing our success with our stakeholders, Airbnb created the Community Fund in 2020 to distribute $100 million to strengthen communities by the end of 2030.
Empowering Houston Hosts to give back
Airbnb Hosts in Houston played an important role in identifying this year’s local Community Fund recipients.
Houston Area Women’s Center received a $75,000 Community Fund grant after being nominated by the local Houston Airbnb Host club. Made up of volunteer Hosts in the city, the Houston Airbnb Host club chose Houston Area Women’s Center for its commitment to empowering women in Houston by offering a safe space for thousands of women, children, and families escaping domestic violence, sexual assault, or sex trafficking.
We at the Houston Area Women’s Center are honored to be recipients of the Airbnb Community Fund. This type of flexible funding is critical because it allows us to support the breadth of free, lifesaving services we provide to tens of thousands of survivors each year. These services are only made possible through the generosity of our community.
—Jennifer Yancey, Chief Development Officer, Houston Area Women’s Center
BakerRipley, meanwhile, received a $100,000 Community Fund grant to advance its multifaceted approach to economic empowerment—one of the key themes identified by our Host Advisory Board. The organization offers a suite of services to emerging neighborhoods in Houston, all of which advance its vision to disrupt inequities and help optimize each Houstonian’s earning potential, learning opportunities, sense of belonging, and health and well being.
Every day, BakerRipley strives to infuse our Houston community with opportunity through access to our neighborhood community centers, childcare, career development, small business support, and technology. We serve children and seniors, veterans and immigrants, individuals and families. In response to disasters, BakerRipley provides comprehensive support, including shelter, food distribution, and essential resource guidance at recovery fairs, underscoring our long-term commitment to assisting affected communities. The generous support of Airbnb helps us in our mission to bring resources, connections, and education to emerging communities.
—Claudia Aguirre, CEO, BakerRipley
Continuing to support the Houston community
The Community Fund grants build upon other efforts Airbnb and our Host community have championed to support the City of Houston. In 2021, we partnered with local destination marketing organization Houston First to help the City rebuild its hospitality industry and support economic growth in the wake of the pandemic.
I am thrilled to see the Airbnb Community Fund recognizing and supporting the critical services provided by Houston’s nonprofits. Their commitment to our city’s welfare is deeply appreciated.
—Senator Carol Alvarado, Texas Senate, District 6
To further support Houston’s economy, Airbnb has been collecting a seven percent Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) on all Airbnb reservations in Houston since 2019, generating valuable tax revenue for the city’s tourism and arts industries. In the last year, for example, Airbnb has collected and remitted more than $8 million in local HOT in Houston.1 This comes on top of the Texas State Hotel Occupancy Tax Airbnb collects and remits on behalf of all Hosts in Texas (including in Houston) under an agreement with the Texas Comptroller’s Office.
To learn more about the Community Fund and this year’s grant recipients, please visit the Airbnb Community Fund website.
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