2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout
Homelessness doesn't announce itself. It builds quietly, through a job lost, a relationship that turned dangerous, a lease not renewed. By the time it's visible, it's already been invisible for a long time.
Changing that is exactly what the 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout set out to do.
On the night of 18 June 2026, 300 CEOs, business and community leaders from across Victoria swapped their warm beds for sleeping bags and cardboard at Federation Square in Melbourne. Together, they stood in solidarity with the thousands of Victorians experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, they all chose to help make a hidden crisis visible.
This year's theme, See it. Solve it., asked leaders to look beyond the statistics and sit with the discomfort that so many people face not once, but every night.
For many women, that crisis begins at home. Domestic and family violence is the leading cause of homelessness in Australia. They can’t escape if there is nowhere safe to go – and nearly 8,000 women return to violent partners every year, because there are not enough safe housing options. 1. It is the reality this year's Sleepout set out to confront.
As St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria Group CEO Charlie Spendlove reminded participants during her address: "The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is about so much more than one night. It exists to engage leaders, raise critical funds for frontline services and keep homelessness on the public agenda while broader, systemic solutions continue to be pursued."
How much did the Vinnies CEO Sleepout 2026 raise?
The 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout has exceeded its $1.75 million fundraising target, with more than $1.8 million raised so far and donations open until the end of July. Over the past 15 years, Victorians taking part have raised more than $17 million, helping Vinnies provide emergency relief, food assistance, crisis accommodation and long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness.
Where does the money go?
This year, funds raised will help seed the development of new safe housing for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, including the expansion of Olive's Place, our family violence refuge. St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria has also made a submission to the Victorian Government seeking co-investment to begin construction before the end of the year.
A night of solidarity
The 2026 Sleepout marked several milestones:
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300 Victorian leaders took part
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269 participants slept out for the first time
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114 female leaders participated, a 40 per cent increase on last year
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Thousands of donors across Victoria came together to support the campaign
“"No single individual, organisation or government can end homelessness alone. The people joining us tonight have chosen to use their platforms, their networks and their own discomfort to raise funds and awareness for people doing it tough."”
See it. Solve it.
One night at Federation Square won't end homelessness. But it keeps the issue where it belongs: visible, funded and on the agenda. Every dollar helps provide immediate support today while investing in solutions that create pathways out of homelessness tomorrow. There is still time to support this year's campaign. Donate today and help create lasting change for Victorians escaping family and domestic violence
CEOSLEEPOUT.ORG.AU REGISTER FOR 2027 | DONATE
Case workers share their stories
Meet Diane
Diane has spent years on the frontline as a Domestic and Family Violence Case Worker at VincentCare Victoria.
Meet Mahima
"Sometimes people feel that if victims are not on street, they are not homeless but it's not like that," says Mahima
Meet Ebony
"For some young people, home is the most dangerous place they know," says Ebony, Young Adult Outreach member.
Meet Jess
Family violence in Australia, it's overwhelming and can be your mother, sister, daughter, neighbour or co-worker.
Frequently asked questions
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is an annual event where CEOs, business and community leaders spend one night sleeping outside to raise funds and awareness for Australians experiencing homelessness. It is run by the St Vincent de Paul Society.
The 2026 Victorian event was held on the night of 18 June 2026 at Federation Square in Melbourne.
The 2026 event raised more than $1.8 million, exceeding its $1.75 million target. Over 15 years, Victorian participants have raised more than $17 million.
Donations remain open until the end of July. You can donate here.
Registrations are open for 2027 here.