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Ronald Mcdonald House Madison Inc

EIN 39-1655790 · Madison, WI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF MADISON (RMHC-MADISON) CREATES, FINDS, AND SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$2.8 million
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
27.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
361
Highest pay
$180,174, chief executive officer

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

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 27.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 48% 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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, 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 (3)
  1. $1.7 million spent. HOUSE OPERATIONS -- THE ORGANIZATION OWNS AND OPERATES THE 31-BEDROOM, 46,000 SQUARE FOOT RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN MADISON, WISCONSIN. THE HOUSE IS LOCATED WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE, OPERATED WITH VOLUNTEER DRIVERS, IS PROVIDED TO AND FROM ALL MADISON AREA HOSPITALS AND AFFILIATED CLINICS. FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILDREN MAY STAY IN THE HOUSE FOR FREE. FAMILIES ARE ASKED IF THEY WANT TO GIVE A $10 PER NIGHT SUGGESTED DONATION. IN ADDITION TO A ROOM, THE FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED FOOD, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, AND ALL THE COMFORTS OF HOME. THE HOUSE IS STAFFED 24 HOURS PER DAY AND OPERATES 365 DAYS A YEAR UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF A SMALL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME STAFF OF 19 AND 282 VOLUNTEERS. IN 2024, 1,024 FAMILIES WERE GUESTS OF THE HOUSE WITH AN AVERAGE STAY OF 12 NIGHTS, RESULTING IN A 110% CAPACITY. THIS IS POSSIBLE DUE TO THE PARTNERSHIP OF LOCAL HOTELS WHO PROVIDE ROOMS AT A SIGNIFICANT DISCOUNT, PAID FOR BY RMHC-MADISON.
  2. $140,644 spent. ST. MARY'S FAMILY ROOM -- RMHC-MADISON MANAGES AND OPERATES A RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM AT ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL IN MADISON. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM IS A 3,500 SQUARE FOOT SPACE THAT PROVIDES EVERY AMENITY OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE ON A SMALLER SCALE TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN BEING TREATED AT ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL. THE FAMILY ROOM HAS A KITCHEN, DINING AREA, LAUNDRY FACILITIES, COMPUTER ROOM, CHILDREN'S LIBRARY, LIVING ROOM AREA, AND 4 BEDROOMS WITH PRIVATE BATHROOMS FOR PARENTS WITH THE MOST CRITICAL CHILDREN. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM IS OPEN FROM 9:00 AM TO 9:00 PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK. RMHC-MADISON PROVIDES A PAID MANAGER, FOUR PART-TIME SUPERVISORS FOR THE WEEKENDS, AND 35 VOLUNTEERS TO RUN THE PROGRAM. THE SPACE IS ALWAYS FULLY STOCKED WITH FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES. THERE IS NO COST OR SUGGESTED DONATION FOR THE USE OF THIS SPACE. IN 2024, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM AT ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL HAD 5,238 DAY VISITS AND 737 OVERNIGHT GUESTS.
  3. $103,207 spent. CARE MOBILE -- THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MERCYHEALTH, PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE TO UNINSURED CHILDREN AT "HOST SITES" IN FIVE COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS, INCLUDING BOONE, LEE, OGLE, STEPHENSON AND WINNEBAGO AS WELL AS ROCK COUNTY IN WISCONSIN. THE CARE MOBILE IS A 40-FOOT, 26,000-POUND PEDIATRIC CLINIC ON WHEELS. THE VEHICLE HOUSES TWO PATIENT EXAMINATION ROOMS, A LABORATORY, AND A RECEPTION AREA. A PAIR OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS INCLUDING A NURSE PRACTITIONER AND A NURSE TRAVEL ON THE CARE MOBILE. STAFF ON THE CARE MOBILE HELP ENROLL CHILDREN IN THE STATE'S ALL KIDS PROGRAM. SINCE 2003, MORE THAN 13,500 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED MORE THAN $3.1 MILLION IN FREE CARE THROUGH 13,500 MEDICAL VISITS AND 3,800 IMMUNIZATIONS. IN 2024, THE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE VISITED 20 SITES, SERVING MORE THAN 400 CHILDREN IN NORTHERN ILLINOIS THROUGH 157 MEDICAL DAYS OF CARE.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since November 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.