Ronald McDonald House Charities

Kids

About Us

Frequently Asked Questions

Ronald McDonald House Charities:

Ronald McDonald House program:

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program:

Ronald McDonald Family Room program:

RMHC Scholarship Program:

RMHC Grants:

Ronald McDonald House Charities

What is the relationship between RMHC and McDonald’s Corporation?

Although RMHC is an independent charity, McDonald’s Corporation and local McDonald’s restaurant owner/operators generously fund portions of the annual operating costs of Ronald McDonald Houses, and we are very grateful for all they do for us. The remainder of the annual operating income comes from individual and other corporate donors. Read more about how McDonald’s helps RMHC.

Ronald McDonald House Program

Who owns and operates Ronald McDonald Houses?

The program is owned and operated by local RMHC Chapters. Each entity has its own Board of Directors.

How are Ronald McDonald Houses funded?

Generous supporters like you help fund Ronald McDonald Houses. The majority of our programming funds come from individuals, organizations and businesses.

Doesn’t McDonald’s fund Ronald McDonald Houses?

McDonald’s Corporation and local McDonald’s restaurant owner/operators generously fund portions of the annual operating costs of the Houses. The remainder of the annual operating income comes from individual and other corporate donors.

How much does it cost to stay at a Ronald McDonald House?

Although the actual cost to operate a room varies between $50 and $100 a night, families are asked to donate between $5 and $25 a night. However, the fee is waived for those who cannot afford it. The difference is made up through donations. Thanks to your contributions, RMHC never turns a family away because of their inability to pay.

Who is eligible to stay at a Ronald McDonald House?

Children, from birth to 21, who are being treated at nearby hospitals and medical facilities, and their families are eligible. Please contact the Ronald McDonald House in your community to find out if there are other policies or requirements.

How long do families usually stay at a Ronald McDonald House?

Stays can be as short as one night or as long as several months, and sometimes extend to a year or more, depending on the child’s illness and treatment.

How can I support a Ronald McDonald House?

You can support the Charity in a number of ways, especially by donating and volunteering. We could not operate Ronald McDonald Houses without donations from individuals and groups. Find out how you can support RMHC financially, or read about volunteer opportunities.

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile

What is the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program?

Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles bring cost-effective, high-quality medical and dental care directly to underserved children in rural and urban areas through relationships with local health care organizations and clinical service providers. The 40-foot, 26,000-pound vehicles are built specifically to deliver the pediatric health care services of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs.

What services does a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provide?

Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles provide a number of services including:

  • Asthma management and education
  • Blood collection
  • Developmental screening
  • Diagnosis and treatment of chronic disease
  • Immunizations
  • Injury prevention education
  • Mental health services and other pediatric specialty services, such as cardiology and ENT (ear, nose and throat)
  • Nutrition counseling
  • Oral hygiene and health education
  • Prenatal care for pregnant teens
  • Preventive and restorative dental care
  • Primary care
  • Pulmonary function testing
  • School and sports physicals
  • Well-child visits
  • Tattoo removal

Who staffs Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles?

Staffing varies based on needs and might include a pediatrician, a pediatric nurse, a dental hygienist, a dentist and a program manager. Other staff members might include a social worker and other pediatric specialists. In most cases, these staff members are full- or part-time workers hired by a local health care organization, not RMHC.

Most programs choose to supplement their staff with a rotating base of volunteers, medical, dental and nursing students. In an effort to provide continuity of care, however, there is always a core staff that serves the community on a regular basis. The rotating staff complements the core staff.

Where do Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles operate?

Through relationships with clinical service providers, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs currently operate in 32 cities in Argentina, El Salvador, New Zealand, Poland and the United States. To find out if there is a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program in your area, contact your local RMHC organization.

Does Ronald McDonald Care Mobile only treat children?

To be consistent with the mission of RMHC, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides health care and health education services to children from birth to 21.

Does the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program replace regular visits to a doctor or dentist office?

Services provided on a Ronald McDonald Care Mobile do NOT replace regular visits to a doctor or a dentist office. Rather, the program is an entry point into a regular pattern of health care for underserved children, with the goal of connecting the child and his or her family to a medical or dental home.

In some cases, we understand that the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile will need to be the medical or dental “home” for the child because of a severe lack of health care providers in the community or the limited number of providers that will accept children with Medicaid. However, these types of programs have been more of the exception than the rule.

Who owns and operates the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in each local market?

The program is operated through a relationship with carefully selected clinical service providers.

What type of organization qualifies as the “health care organization” or “clinical service provider” for the local program?

The party with whom RMHC Global executes a Grant & License Agreement must have 501(c)(3) status and have a mission that complements that of RMHC. To date, the health care organizations or clinical service providers have been community hospitals, health systems, academic medical centers, county hospitals, outpatient clinics and independent groups of physicians and dentists.

Do children or their families have to pay for health care services provided by Ronald McDonald Care Mobile?

All services offered onboard the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile are provided free of charge to children and their families. No out-of-pocket expenses are incurred, and no child is denied care based on ability to pay. However, reimbursement from a third party, such as Medicaid, is sought if applicable, as is sliding-scale payment that complements the pay schedule already in place at the base of operations.

Moreover, in conjunction with their visits to Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, parents or guardians can enroll their children in a federally assisted health insurance program.

Ronald McDonald Family Room

Who can use a Ronald McDonald Family Room?

Families with children receiving treatment in a hospital are eligible to use Ronald McDonald Family Room facilities.

What services does a Ronald McDonald Family Room provide?

Family Room programs provide various services depending on many factors — including the size of the space available within the hospital and the number of families served.

Services provided by Ronald McDonald Family Room programs might include:

  • A kitchen area that includes a stove or microwave
  • Shower facilities
  • Sleeping rooms for naps or overnight accommodations
  • Laundry facilities, including washers, dryers and laundry detergent
  • Internet access so families can send e-mails or do research online
  • Reference books
  • A seating area with a television where family members can relax and unwind
  • A quiet room where family members can read or reflect

Who operates Ronald McDonald Family Room programs?

The programs are owned and operated by local RMHC Chapters. Each entity has its own Board of Directors.

How can I support the Ronald McDonald Family Room in my community?

Although the services provided by each Ronald McDonald Family Room are different, each program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities. Whether you want to sign up to bring in a home-cooked meal or treats for the families, donate canned goods or laundry detergent, volunteer to staff the check-in desk, or make a cash donation, there are many ways you can help. Contact your local RMHC Chapter to find out how you can help a Ronald McDonald Family Room in your area.

RMHC Scholarship Program

Who is eligible?

To apply for a RMHC National Scholarship, a student must:

  • Be a high school senior
  • Be less than 21 years old
  • Be eligible to attend a two- or four-year college or university with a full course of study.
  • Be a legal U.S. resident
  • Reside in a participating local RMHC Chapter’s geographic area
  • Submit a complete application and all required documentation by the deadline

Note: McDonald’s employees who meet all requirements are eligible to apply.

How can I apply?

Eligible students can apply online or by mail. Applications for RMHC scholarship programs are available from the following sources:

  • High school guidance counselors and college placement advisors
  • By mail upon request by calling 1-800-310-4053
  • Online (The access code needed on the application is RMHC.)

How are scholarship recipients selected?

Participating programs select their respective scholarship recipients. Local RMHC Chapters convene committees made up of RMHC and McDonald’s representatives, educators and community leaders to select winners on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Academic achievement as demonstrated through the applicant’s grade point average and standardized test scores
  • Financial need as demonstrated through the student’s disclosure of family income and anticipated educational expenses
  • Community involvement and leadership potential as demonstrated by the student’s personal statement and letters of recommendation

Are there any other scholarship requirements?

  • Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the school designated by the recipient once the local RMHC Chapter receives verification of enrollment. RMHC scholarship funds cannot be paid to individual recipients irrespective of circumstances that may develop after their selection.
  • Scholarship recipients must enroll and attend school during the academic year following their graduation. Local RMHC Chapters may consider and approve exceptions to this requirement at their discretion. However, the Chapters must distribute funding to students entering their freshman year.
  • A recipient’s failure to comply with any of the above requirements in a timely manner may result in forfeiture of the scholarship.

Can my local RMHC Chapter start a scholarship program?

Yes. Please contact the RMHC global office to learn about the 12 basic steps a local RMHC Chapter must follow to establish and execute an RMHC Scholarship program.

RMHC Grants

Can I include the cost for salaries in my grant request?

No. General ongoing administrative costs cannot be included in your request.

I don’t have my organization’s most current tax return yet. Can I send in my last one?

Yes, provided that the latest version arrives in our office no later than 60 days prior to the Board Meeting at which your grant will be reviewed.

My organization doesn’t have its 501(c)(3) letter yet, but we have applied for it. Can we still be reviewed?

When you send in your letter of inquiry, please send copies of your application for a 501(c)(3) with it, as well.

My organization is located outside the United States, and we don’t have a 501(c)(3) letter. What do I send with my letter of inquiry?

Please send whatever documentation your country issues as proof of your charitable or tax-exempt status.

My organization received a grant from you last year. Can I apply for a new grant?

Yes, but preference may be given to other first-time applicants. You cannot apply in the same year in which you have already received funding.

Because of large startup costs associated with fundraisers that my organization initiated last year, our finances might look skewed. Will this prevent us from receiving a grant?

We use recommendations from various “watchdog” organizations as we review financial information. If your organization had certain, one-time fundraising or other costs, we would expect to see those explained somewhere in the related informational tax return or on other financial documents.

Part of my organization’s program serves adults. Would you still fund the costs?

RMHC does not fund programs benefiting adults. If your program is considered for funding, the portion of the program that focuses on the needs of children would be broken out and only that portion would be addressed.