Ronald Mcdonald House Philadelphia
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEE SCHEDULE O. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF THE PHILADELPHIA REGION (RMH) OWNS TWO RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES WHICH PROVIDE TEMPORARY LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, MEALS, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO FAMILIES WHO TRAVEL TO PHILADELPHIA FOR PEDIATRIC CARE. RMH'S THREE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS EXTEND THE SUPPORT OF ITS HOUSES INTO THE HOSPITAL SETTING AND OFFER A QUIET RESPITE SPACE FOR FAMILIES AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA AND ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN. RONALD MCDONALD CAMP IS A WEEK-LONG OVERNIGHT CAMP FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS HELD IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS EVERY AUGUST. THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE, OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. CHRISTOPHER'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN, PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE AND CONTINUOUS ORAL HEALTHCARE TO CHILDREN IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA.
- Income
- $30.6 million
- Spending
- $11.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 62%
- Employees
- 116
- Volunteers
- 3,759
- Highest pay
- $264,972, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 69 out of 100.
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 61% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 195% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1577% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2524 of 24 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (4)
- $8.5 million spent. TWO RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES, TOGETHER SERVING UP TO 147 FAMILIES EACH NIGHT, OFFER HOLISTIC SUPPORT AND LODGING TO FAMILIES TRAVELING 25 MILES OR FURTHER TO PHILADELPHIA TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN. FOUNDED AS THE FIRST RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN THE WORLD, RMHC-PHI IS THE MODEL FOR MORE THAN 375 HOUSES IN 65 COUNTRIES AND REGIONS AROUND THE GLOBE AND HAS SUPPORTED THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF OPERATION.SINCE OPENING, THE FLAGSHIP HOUSE LOCATED AT 3925 CHESTNUT STREET GREW TO 72,000 SQUARE FEET TO ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL OF 45 FAMILIES EACH NIGHT IN 1995; IN 2008, RMHC-PHI OPENED A SECOND 27,000-SQUARE-FOOT, THREE-STORY HOME WITH 20 BEDROOMS LOCATED AT 100 E. ERIE AVENUE TO MEET THE EXPANDING NEED FOR SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA. RMHC-PHI HAS RECENTLY EXPANDED THE CHESTNUT STREET LOCATION BY 98,364 SQUARE FEET WITH 82 ADDITIONAL BEDROOMS TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR SERVICES. CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW FACILITY BEGAN IN THE SUMMER OF 2017 AND CONCLUDED IN EARLY 2020. THE HOUSES OFFER FAMILIES A COMFORTABLE AND SECURE ROOM, DAILY HOME-COOKED MEALS, A 24-HOUR FOOD PANTRY, COMPLIMENTARY TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE CITY, FREE PARKING, AND LAUNDRY FACILITIES ALL JUST MINUTES FROM THE HOSPITAL. THE HOUSES ALSO OFFER TV LOUNGES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR PLAY SPACES, EXERCISE ROOMS, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, LOANER LAPTOP COMPUTERS AND WIFI, AND SOCIAL WORKER ASSISTANCE. ADDITIONALLY, THE HOUSES OFFER THE SUPPORT OF OTHER FAMILIES WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE A SERIOUSLY ILL CHILD. WHILE IT COSTS RMHC-PHI MORE THAN $160 PER NIGHT TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES, FAMILIES ARE ASKED TO PAY $25 PER NIGHT. HOWEVER, MANY OF THE FAMILIES ARE SO FINANCIALLY DEVASTATED BY THEIR CHILD'S ILLNESS (AS A RESULT OF TREATMENT COSTS, JOB LOSS OR LEAVE, TRAVELING, AND PAYING EXPENSES AT HOME) THAT THEIR FEE IS WAIVED OR REDUCED; NO ONE IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO INABILITY TO PAY.FAMILIES TRAVELING FROM 25 MILES AWAY OR FURTHER FOR MEDICAL CARE AT PHILADELPHIA HOSPITALS ARE ELIGIBLE TO STAY AT THE HOUSES, AND CHILDREN MUST BE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 AND IN ACTIVE TREATMENT. IN 2024, RMHC-PHI'S TWO HOUSES COMBINED HAD 2,533 FAMILY STAYS WITH 1,759 UNIQUE FAMILIES TRAVELING FROM 50 STATES AND 30 COUNTRIES; 35.55% OF FAMILIES TRAVELED FROM WITHIN PENNSYLVANIA THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 17 DAYS, WITH THE LONGEST LENGTH OF STAY FOR ONE FAMILY TOTALING 359 CONSECUTIVE DAYS DURING 2024. WHILE RMHC-PHI SERVES FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE BEING TREATED FOR AN ARRAY OF ILLNESSES, THE TOP DEPARTMENTS IN 2024 WERE ORTHOPEDICS, ONCOLOGY, NEONATOLOGY, CARDIOLOGY, AND GASTROENTEROLOGY. EACH YEAR, RMHC-PHI'S HOSPITAL PARTNERS INCLUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA (CHOP), ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, SHRINERS HOSPITAL, WILLS EYE HOSPITAL, THE HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND OTHERS.VOLUNTEERS ARE TRULY THE HEART OF THE HOUSES AND RMHC-PHI RELIES ON THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF MORE THAN 285 REGULARLY SCHEDULED VOLUNTEERS TO CREATE A HOME FOR THE FAMILIES IT SERVES. VOLUNTEERS STAFF THE FRONT DESK, DRIVE THE SHUTTLE VANS, ASSIST IN PREPARING MEALS, AND SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN A VARIETY OF OTHER CAPACITIES.
- $417,196 spent. RONALD MCDONALD CAMP (RMC) ENABLES CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS TO EXPERIENCE THE JOYS OF SUMMER CAMP. CREATED BY RMH CO-FOUNDER DR. AUDREY E. EVANS IN 1986, THIS ONE-WEEK CAMP WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST OF ITS KIND TO OFFER A CAMP EXPERIENCE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS. RMC, HELD ANNUALLY IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA, INCLUDES ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES FOUND AT A TRADITIONAL OVERNIGHT SUMMER CAMP, SUCH AS SWIMMING, SAILING, HIKING, SPORTS, ARTS AND CRAFTS, YOGA, AND ROPE COURSES, EXCEPT THAT, AT THIS CAMP, CAMPERS CAN PARTICIPATE NO MATTER WHAT LIMITATIONS THEY HAVE. FOR MANY CAMPERS, THE WEEK AT CAMP IS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE EVER TRIED THE ACTIVITIES OFFERED, AND THEY GO HOME NOT ONLY HAVING DISCOVERED A NEW TALENT OR LEARNED A NEW SKILL, BUT HAVING GAINED A SENSE OF SELF-CONFIDENCE. FOR CHILDREN WHO HAVE FELT ISOLATED FROM THEIR PEERS THROUGH THEIR ILLNESS, AND SIBLINGS WHO HAVE FELT LEFT OUT, CAMP IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A FAMILY OF CAMPERS WHO CAN RELATE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND TO DEVELOP A WIDE-REACHING SUPPORT NETWORK THAT WILL LAST LONG AFTER THE WEEK OF CAMP IS OVER.CHILDREN AGES 7 TO 17 (INCLUDING CURRENT OR FORMER CANCER PATIENTS AND ONE SIBLING) ARE WELCOME AT CAMP AND ARE DIVIDED BY AGE INTO JUNIOR AND SENIOR CAMPS. MORE THAN 100 FULLY-TRAINED VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS (MANY OF WHOM ARE CANCER SURVIVORS AND PAST CAMPERS) AND A FULL TEAM OF OVER A DOZEN MEDICAL STAFF, INCLUDING PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGISTS, NURSES AND SOCIAL WORKERS FROM CHOP, VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME OVER THE SUMMER TO MAKE CAMP POSSIBLE. IN 2024, RMHC-PHI HOSTED ONE WEEK OF RMC FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS WITH PRIMARY GOALS OF KEEPING CAMPERS SAFE AND PROVIDING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY OF FUN WHERE CAMPERS CAN EXPERIENCE ENGAGING ACTIVITIES LIKE ANY OTHER KID, AND ONE WEEKEND FOR THE PILOT YEAR OF FAMILY CAMP, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES WITH A CHILD RECENLY OFF CANCER TREATMENT TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER, OTHER FAMILIES, AND ENJOY CAMP ACTIVITIES TOGETHER. IN AUGUST, 152 CAMPERS AND SEVEN PARTICIPANTS IN A YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP PROGRAM RETURNED TO IN PERSON CAMP PROGRAMMING FOR A WEEK AT A CAMPGROUND IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS. BUILDING OFF THE THREE YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO CAMP POST-COVID, RMHC-PHI COORDINATED WITH HEALTHCARE PARTNERS TO ENSURE ANOTHER SAFE RETURN TO IN PERSON ACTIVITIES. 126 VOLUNTEERS TOOK PART AS COUNSELORS, ACTIVITY SPECIALISTS, AND MEDICAL TEAM MEMBERS TO MAKE THESE WEEKS OF CAMP POSSIBLE. CAMPERS ENJOYED THE RETURN OF THE BELOVED FRIDAY WHOLE-CAMP ACTIVITY (THIS YEAR ON THEME OF FANTASY FAIRE) AND BEING ABLE TO CHOSE THEIR AFTERNOON ACTIVITIES BEST SUITED TO THEIR INTERESTS. 2024 ALSO BROUGHT THE LAUNCH OF THE PILOT YEAR OF THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY CAMP, A FRIDAY TO SUNDAY EXPERIENCE FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD 1-5 YEARS OFF OF THEIR CANCER TREATMENT. THE FAMILY CAMP WAS RUN IN COORDINATION WITH SOCIAL WORKERS FROM THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PHILADELPHIA AND RMC CAMP STAFF. 7 FAMILIES (26 PEOPLE) EXPERIENCED A COMMUNITY OF PEERS WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT ON "GRATITUDE" IN THEIR LIVES, AND ENJOY THE INCREDIBLE BONDING FROM SHARED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS LAKE, BOATING, ADVENTURE COURSE, FIELD TRIPS, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND MORE! WHILE THERE IS NO CHARGE TO THE PATIENT CAMPERS, SIBLINGS TRADITIONALLY CAN ATTEND FOR A NOMINAL FEE OF $150. IN 2024, SIBLING FEES TOTALED $7,525. FUNDING FOR THE WEEK IS PROVIDED SOLELY THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS. RONALD MCDONALD CAMP IS ACCREDITED THROUGH THE AMERICAN CAMP ASSOCIATION (ACA) AND IS A MEMBER OF THE CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY CAMPING ASSOCIATION, INTERNATIONAL (COCA). RONALD MCDONALD CAMP, WHEN HELD IN-PERSON, IS HELD AT THE CAMP TIMBER TOPS FACILITY IN GREELEY, PENNSYLVANIA AND RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY CAMP IS HELD AT CAMP ONEKA IN TAFTON, PENNSYLVANIA.
- $192,492 spent. THREE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOMS TWO AT CHOP AND ONE AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN EXTEND THE COMFORT AND SUPPORT OF THE HOUSES INTO THE HOSPITAL BY OFFERING A QUIET PLACE TO REST AND RECHARGE AWAY FROM THE BEDSIDE FOR FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING TREATMENT. THE FIRST FAMILY ROOM AT CHOP OPENED IN THE ONCOLOGY UNIT IN 2006. THIS FAMILY ROOM IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK INCLUDING HOLIDAYS; ANY PATIENT AND HIS/HER FAMILY IN ONE OF THE COMBINED TOTAL OF 50 PATIENT BEDS ON THE ONCOLOGY UNIT MAY USE THE FAMILY ROOM. IN MARCH OF 2017, RMHC-PHI OPENED A FAMILY ROOM AT ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN TO SERVE THE CRITICAL CARE TOWER. THIS FAMILY ROOM SERVES UP TO 65 BEDS A NIGHT. IN 2018, RMHC-PHI OPENED A SECOND FAMILY ROOM AT CHOP'S SEASHORE HOUSE.THE FAMILY ROOMS OFFER A RANGE OF COMPLIMENTARY AMENITIES AND PROGRAMMING IN A WARM, HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT. A CENTRAL PILLAR OF THESE SERVICES IS THE MEAL PROGRAM WHICH, THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF DONORS, PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH BREAKFAST AND DINNER AT SCHEDULED TIMES THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT THE FAMILY-STYLE DINING TABLES LOCATED IN THE ROOMS. SNACKS, COFFEE AND TEA ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES THROUGH THE PROGRAM. OTHER AMENITIES INCLUDE COMFORTABLE SEATING, KITCHEN FACILITIES, TELEVISIONS, DVD PLAYERS (WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF MOVIES), BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. THE ONCOLOGY FAMILY ROOM ALSO OFFERS LAUNDRY FACILITIES AND A GUEST BATHROOM. PROGRAMMING IN FAMILY ROOMS INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY HAIRCUTS, YOGA INSTRUCTION, STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS, ART THERAPY, CRAFTS AND A VARIETY OF OTHER ACTIVITIES.THE FAMILY ROOMS SERVE FAMILIES TRAVELING FROM BOTH NEAR AND FAR. FAMILIES COMING FROM 25 MILES AWAY OR FARTHER AND STAYING AT PHILADELPHIA RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN THE EVENING ARE ABLE TO TAKE A BREAK IN THE ROOMS DURING THE DAY, AND FAMILIES RESIDING CLOSER THAN 25 MILES WHO DO NOT WISH TO LEAVE THEIR CHILD'S SIDE DUE TO AGE OR SEVERITY OF ILLNESS CAN UTILIZE THE ROOMS AS MUCH AS NEEDED.
- $130,000 spent. THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE (RMCM) PROGRAM PROVIDES ACCESS TO PEDIATRIC MEDICAL, DENTAL AND/OR HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THE RMCM PROGRAM IS BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS TO HEALTH CARE, EXPANDING CRITICAL HEALTH CARE ACCESS AND EXTENDING THE CHARITY'S REACH TO COUNTLESS UNDERSERVED CHILDREN. THE RMCM PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN THAT ARE AT GREAT RISK TO DEVELOP ACUTE CONDITIONS, DENTAL PROBLEMS, CHRONIC DISEASES AND EVEN SERIOUS LIFELONG ILLNESSES. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ST. CHRISTOPHER'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN, RMHC-PHI IS BRINGING CRITICAL DENTAL SERVICES TO UNDER-INSURED OR UN-INSURED CHILDREN RIGHT IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH ONSITE VISITS AT SCHOOLS, HEAD START PROGRAMS AND HOMELESS SHELTERS.IN 2024, THE RMCM VISITED 58 UNIQUE SITE LOCATIONS AND PROVIDED DENTAL EDUCATION AND CARE TO 1561 CHILDREN. THE RMCM PROVIDED THIS VITAL CARE AND EDUCATION FOR A TOTAL OF 218 DAYS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1976.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 2026.
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