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Earlier this year, Joe Gebbia, the billionaire co-founder of Airbnb, joined the San Antonio Spurs investor group. When the announcement was made, Gebbia said part of the appeal of joining Spur ownership was their community involvement.
“I have always loved basketball and I have always dreamed of being part of a team… I am so grateful to be part of the legendary San Antonio Spurs organization, which has long reflected a commitment to social good within and through their community that rivals the success they’ve had on the field.” Joe Gebbia
Giving back is important to Gebbia, who has promised to give most of his billion dollar fortune.
Let’s take a look at its history and how it can help the San Antonio community.
Become a billionaire
Gebbia was born in 1981 and grew up in Georgia. Before moving to San Francisco, he attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Joe Gebbia co-founded peer-to-peer room and home rental company Airbnb with Brian Chesky and Nathan Blecharczyk in 2008. Through Airbnb’s growth, Gebbia has amassed a net worth of $7.1 billion– and he plans to give away most of it.
Philanthropy
“Joe Gebbia took his passion from giving back to every corner of the world – from helping Afghan refugees find housing to working to end homelessness in the United States. “His philanthropic and artistic vision coupled with his business acumen aligns with our values of building leaders and legacies within our communities. We are delighted to welcome Joe to the Spurs family. Peter J. Holt.
Homelessness is one of the causes that excites Gebbia the most.
In 2020, he helped launch Airbnb.org, a nonprofit that enables hosts on Airbnb to house people in times of crisis. He followed that up with a Personal donation of $25 million to help two charities working to end homelessness: Rising Up – Larkin Street Youth Services and All Home.
He also has supported the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation, which was used to redevelop basketball and tennis courts. In addition, he sits on the Advisory Board of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In March, Gebbia pledged a matching donation of $1 million to bring lifesaving aid, protection and hope to displaced families in Ukraine.
In 2022, Gebbia was the graduation lecturer at his alma mater, Brookwood High School. During the ceremony, he promised 22 Airbnb shares to the 890 graduatesa donation worth $2.1 million.
Now that he is actively involved with the San Antonio Spurs, it will be interesting to see how he helps the community here.
Your thoughts
Are you happy that Gebbia has joined the San Antonio Spurs ownership group? What organizations in San Antonio would you like him to donate to?
Please leave a comment below with your opinion and also share this article with others so they can join the conversation.
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