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Ronald Mcdonald House Southwest Florida Inc

EIN 11-3704163 · Fort Myers, FL

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT REMOVE BARRIERS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE HEALING WHEN CHILDREN NEED HEALTHCARE.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
41 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
15
Volunteers
2,066
Highest pay
$131,746, outgoing pre

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 38% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. SINCE 1996, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (RMHC SWFL) HAS SUPPORTED FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN RECEIVING CARE AT THE NEARBY GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY HOUSING. OVER TIME, SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE PROGRAM AND A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM LOCATED INSIDE GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. RMHC SWFL PROVIDES STABILITY AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO FAMILIES SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH OUR THREE PROGRAMS: 1) THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROVIDES A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AS WELL AS OTHER OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA. 2) THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM, LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, GIVES FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN A COMFORTABLE SPACE TO REST AND RECHARGE JUST STEPS FROM THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE. 3) TWO RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES DELIVER MEDICAL AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, TREATMENT, AND SEALANTS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT COLLIER, LEE, AND HENDRY COUNTIES. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR NEWBORNS WHO ARRIVED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED OR TO STAY NEAR A CHILD HOSPITALIZED DUE TO ILLNESS OR INJURY. HOWEVER THEIR JOURNEY BRINGS THEM TO US, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO PROVIDE A "HOME-AWAY-FROM- HOME" FOR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AND SIBLINGS DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES. AT RMHC SWFL, EACH FAMILY RECEIVES PRIVATE, SAFE ACCOMMODATIONS, NOURISHING MEALS, CONVENIENT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT FROM OUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND OTHER FAMILIES FACING SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. BY KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER, OUR HOUSE ALLOWS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS THE MOST - THE HEALTH AND HEALING OF THEIR CHILD. IN 2025, WE WELCOMED 74 FAMILIES TO OUR 12-BEDROOM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. THE HOUSE REACHED FULL CAPACITY ON 42 NIGHTS AND MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE OCCUPANCY OF 94% OCCUPANCY FOR THE YEAR. FAMILIES STAYED AN AVERAGE OF 45 NIGHTS, AN INCREASE FROM 34 NIGHTS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. VOLUNTEERS IN THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM AT GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WELCOMED 3,194 VISITS FROM PATIENT FAMILIES AND PROVIDED 2,903 GRAB & GO MEALS, ALONG WITH SNACKS, TREATS, AND BEVERAGES TO HELP FAMILIES STAY NOURISHED WHILE REMAINING CLOSE TO THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH HEALTHCARE NETWORK AND FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, MORE THAN 7,800 UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN COLLIER, LEE, AND HENDRY COUNTIES RECEIVED CARE ABOARD OUR TWO RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES, INCLUDING MEDICAL AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, PREVENTIVE AND RESTORATIVE DENTAL SERVICES, EYE EXAMS, PHYSICALS, AND HEALTH EDUCATION. VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF RMHC SWFL. IN 2025, 10,116 VOLUNTEER HOURS WERE CONTRIBUTED THROUGH REGULARLY SCHEDULED SHIFTS AT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM, AND OUR FOUR MAJOR FUNDRAISING EVENTS. IN ADDITION, VOLUNTEER "CHEFS" SUPPORTED OUR FAMILY MEAL PROGRAM BY PREPARING 359 HOT MEALS FOR OUR GUEST FAMILIES DURING THEIR STAY. THEIR DEDICATION AND SELFLESSNESS HELP MAKE OUR MISSION POSSIBLE. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND DONORS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING RMHC SWFL AND ADVANCING OUR MISSION. THEIR PARTNERSHIPS TAKE MANY FORMS, FROM MEANINGFUL ANNUAL FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPONSORING OR ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN OUR FUNDRAISING EVENTS. THROUGH THEIR GENEROSITY AND ENGAGEMENT, THE COMMUNITY HELPS ENSURE WE CAN CONTINUE PROVIDING COMFORT, CARE, AND CRITICAL SERVICES TO THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. SINCE 1996, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (RMHC SWFL) HAS SUPPORTED FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN RECEIVING CARE AT THE NEARBY GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BY PROVIDING TEMPORARY HOUSING. OVER TIME, SERVICES HAVE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE PROGRAM AND A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM LOCATED INSIDE GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. RMHC SWFL PROVIDES STABILITY AND ESSENTIAL RESOURCES TO FAMILIES SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING THROUGH OUR THREE PROGRAMS: 1) THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROVIDES A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT AT GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AS WELL AS OTHER OUT-PATIENT MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE AREA. 2) THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM, LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, GIVES FAMILIES OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN A COMFORTABLE SPACE TO REST AND RECHARGE JUST STEPS FROM THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE. 3) TWO RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES DELIVER MEDICAL AND DENTAL SCREENINGS, TREATMENT, AND SEALANTS TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN THROUGHOUT COLLIER, LEE, AND HENDRY COUNTIES. THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR NEWBORNS WHO ARRIVED EARLIER THAN EXPECTED OR TO STAY NEAR A CHILD HOSPITALIZED DUE TO ILLNESS OR INJURY. HOWEVER THEIR JOURNEY BRINGS THEM TO US, IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO PROVIDE A "HOME-AWAY-FROM- HOME" FOR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AND SIBLINGS DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES IN THEIR LIVES. AT RMHC SWFL, EACH FAMILY RECEIVES PRIVATE, SAFE ACCOMMODATIONS, NOURISHING MEALS, CONVENIENT ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND COMPASSIONATE SUPPORT FROM OUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, AND OTHER FAMILIES FACING SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. BY KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER, OUR HOUSE ALLOWS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS TO FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS THE MOST - THE HEALTH AND HEALING OF THEIR CHILD. IN 2025, WE WELCOMED 74 FAMILIES TO OUR 12-BEDROOM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE. THE HOUSE REACHED FULL CAPACITY ON 42 NIGHTS AND MAINTAINED AN AVERAGE OCCUPANCY OF 94% OCCUPANCY FOR THE YEAR. FAMILIES STAYED AN AVERAGE OF 45 NIGHTS, AN INCREASE FROM 34 NIGHTS THE PREVIOUS YEAR. VOLUNTEERS IN THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM AT GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WELCOMED 3,194 VISITS FROM PATIENT FAMILIES AND PROVIDED 2,903 GRAB & GO MEALS, ALONG WITH SNACKS,

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since November 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

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