San Francisco, California: Airbnb Chief Brian Chesky Pledges $100 Million to City Parks in Largest Single Donor Gift in City History

Brian Chesky, the co-founder and chief executive of Airbnb, has pledged $100 million to San Francisco's parks, a personal contribution that Mayor Daniel Lurie's office calls the largest gift the city has ever received from a single donor. Lurie announced the pledge on Monday at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, after the San Francisco Chronicle first reported it.

"San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and our parks are a big part of what makes it special," Chesky said in a statement. "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."

Where the first $39 million goes

The first $39 million will speed up five projects that the Recreation and Park Department had planned but could not fully pay for. Rachele Sullivan Park, a half-acre site on 11th Street between Natoma and Minna Streets in western SoMa, would open in late 2028 instead of 2031, with a half basketball court, a fitness area, a children's play area and shaded seating. Garfield Square Park and Recreation Center in the Mission would add Sunday pool hours and resurface its playground, with work expected to start in mid-2027. India Basin Waterfront Park in Bayview-Hunters Point, a 10-acre park now under construction, would get money to close a funding gap for a gravel beach, a boathouse, a playground and basketball courts, and to close a gap in the Bay Trail. Jackson Playground in Potrero Hill would be fully renovated, with its historic clubhouse moved, restored and expanded. Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park, across from the Ferry Building, would be joined into a single five-acre waterfront park.

The money covers construction and five years of maintenance and programming. Airbnb says the five projects cover 24 acres, and that more than one in 10 San Franciscans, including 20,000 children and seniors, will have an improved park within half a mile of home.

What has to happen next

The gift is not yet city money. It is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors and a recommendation by the Recreation and Park Commission. Sarah Madland, the Recreation and Park Department's general manager, told KQED that the first installment could arrive as early as this year or early 2027. "These are projects that are ready to go and have broad community support, have plans in place, but we haven't been able to put together that last piece of funding," she said. The remaining $61 million will go to projects the department identifies over the next year.

Chesky, 45, started Airbnb in San Francisco in 2007 with Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk, and the company is still based in the city. Forbes estimates his net worth at about $13.1 billion, most of it in Airbnb stock. Lurie used the announcement to appeal to other wealthy residents. "To every leader who sees what Brian has done today: Our city is coming back, and you also have an opportunity not to watch from the sidelines but to be part of it," he said.