Giving back to the cities and communities we call home is central to our approach at Sonder.
Through Sonder’s global donation program, our city teams have been partnering with local non-profits to donate extra furniture to homes and community spaces or by selling them to raise funds for local causes. From sofas and washing machines to lamps and hair dryers, we’ve been able to help furnish over 100 apartments through ~$500,000 worth of donations in 2020 alone.
Sharing some of our recent partnerships:
- In Washington DC, we’ve worked with the District of Columbia Housing Authority on a first-of-its-kind project for the city, providing hundreds of families in need with new or almost new furnishings.
- In the Bay Area, we partnered with Habitat for Humanity and the Bay Area Furniture Bank to provide a combined 60 apartments with furniture.
- Our team in Montreal donated furniture for nearly 30 apartments to L’Entraide les Ami(e)s de Montréal, a local charity providing discounted furniture and accommodation to single-parent families.
- By partnering with local homelessness charity, Humble Design in San Diego, we were able to fully furnish multiple homes for families and veterans emerging from homelessness.
- In Rome, we donated dozens of pieces of furniture to a shelter for women and their children who have been victims of violence. The Mayor of Rome recently shared information about this initiative and thanked Sonder for helping them furnish the space.
“With Sonder’s donations of amazing decor, kitchen supplies and beautiful furniture, we are able to furnish and decorate the homes of so many deserving families. Our designers and volunteers are still ‘ooing and ahhing’ over items we received.” shared Emily Corless, Operations Manager at Humble Design.
“At Sonder, we know that inspiring design and a comfortable place to call home can contribute to people’s wellbeing and stability,” said Lara Birkes, Head of Sustainability, Partnerships, and Social Impact at Sonder. “Through our furniture donation program, not only are we able to replicate our beautifully designed properties and create a sense of sanctuary for those most in need, but it’s also an incredibly sustainable way to minimize waste across the business.”
