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Ronald Mcdonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana

EIN 36-3532553 · Hines, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT REMOVE BARRIERS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE HEALING WHEN CHILDREN NEED HEALTHCARE.

Income
$31.4 million
Spending
$19.2 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
8.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 95%
Employees
146
Volunteers
11,916
Highest pay
$430,865, chief executive officer

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 71% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    23 of 23 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 (2)
  1. $12.8 million spent. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES - OUR SIX HOUSES AND FOUR FAMILY ROOMS PROVIDE A "HOME AWAY FROM HOME" TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. THE HOUSES ARE LOCATED NEAR LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO COMER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE PRENTICE WOMEN'S HOSPITAL AND NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE CENTRAL DUPAGE HOSPITAL. THE FAMILY ROOMS ARE LOCATED INSIDE EDWARD HOSPITAL, ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL HOSPITAL, LURIE CHILDREN'S AND UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO COMER CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. THE HOUSES AND FAMILY ROOMS ALLOW FAMILIES TO EAT, SLEEP AND FIND THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT THEY NEED JUST BLOCKS FROM WHERE THEIR CHILD IS BEING TREATED. IN 2025 WE PROVIDED 55,667 FAMILY NIGHTS AND RESPITE CARE TO 14,691 FAMILIES, OFFERING THEM CARE AND COMFORT DURING THEIR HOURS OF GREATEST NEED. WHILE WE SUGGEST A DONATION OF $10 PER NIGHT, NO FAMILY IS EVER TURNED AWAY IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO PAY.
  2. $661,818 spent. CARE MOBILE - OUR CARE MOBILE PROGRAM, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ADVOCATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, PROVIDES ESSENTIAL HEALTH SERVICE TO OVER 3,678 CHILDREN IN UNDERSERVED AREAS IN A MOBILE ENVIRONMENT. CHILDREN RECEIVE CHECK-UPS, IMMUNIZATIONS AND REFERRALS FOR SPECIALITY CARE, INCLUDING ASTHMA, CARDIOLOGY AND ALLERGIES. OUR GOAL IS TO FIND A "HEALTH CARE HOME" FOR ALL THE CHILDREN SEEN ON THE CARE MOBILE. "HEALTH CARE HOME" FOR ALL THE CHILDREN SEEN ON THE CARE MOBILE.

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 November 6, 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 2024.

    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 March 2006.

    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 November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.