Queensland leads the nation to raise over $2.9 million for people experiencing homelessness

Over 400 of Queensland’s business and community leaders have made history at the St Vincent de Paul Society QLD’s 2026 CEO Sleepout, raising more than $2.9 million to set a new benchmark for the annual fundraising event.  

Participants took to Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane, CBUS Stadium on the Gold Coast and Maroochydore Surf Club on the Sunshine Coast on Thursday 18 June braving one of the coldest nights of the year to sleep in solidarity with the 122,000 Australians who do not have a safe place to call home.  

Queensland set a new national record, helping push total fundraising across Australia past $10 million for the first time in the event’s 20-year history. 

The 2026 Brisbane CEO Sleepout raised over $1.8m, while the Gold Coast raised more than $880,000 and the Sunshine Coast raised a record $240,000.

While the State of Origin title is yet to be decided, the St Vincent de Paul Society QLD team is celebrating raising more in Sleepout fundraising than their NSW counterparts for the first time ever. 

Topping Queensland's fundraising leadership was TACTIC’s Chief Growth Officer Matt Kratiuk, with $201,137 raised, and Dr David Sharp, owner of The Sharp Clinic, who raised $58,654. 

Funds raised will go towards long-term solutions to homelessness, including supported community housing across the state where residents can access wrap-around support to build the resilience and stability needed to break the cycle of homelessness for good. 

St Vincent de Paul Society CEO Joe Duskovic said Queensland had demonstrated its care and compassion on the national stage. 

"What Queensland's business community has achieved tonight is truly remarkable. This result will make a real, lasting difference in the lives of people who are doing it tough,” he said. 

“This effort is thanks to the generosity and compassion of every single leader who participated and over 10,800 donors. 

“To set a new national record is an incredible achievement, and one that will help us get closer than ever to a Queensland where everyone has a safe place to call home.”