Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois

EIN 42-1189783 · Iowa City, IA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN IOWA & WESTERN ILLINOIS IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SERVICES THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN WHILE OFFERING A COMMUNITY OF COMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES SEEKING MEDICAL CARE FOR A CHILD.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$2.2 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
15.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
52
Volunteers
1,396
Highest pay
$134,947, 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (health care, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 33% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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

    16 of 16 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. $1.4 million spent. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE (RMH) OF IOWA CITY LOCATED NEAR THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STEAD FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, PROVIDES OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS, AMENITIES AND SUPPORT TO HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD AS THEY SEEK CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AT NEARBY HOSPITALS. ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO FAMILIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF IOWA CITY HAS 31 COMFORTABLE PRIVATE GUEST ROOMS AS WELL AS HOME-COOKED MEALS, A LARGE KITCHEN FULLY STOCKED WITH FOOD AND COOKING SUPPLIES, THREE FAMILY LOUNGES WITH ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES, FREE HOSPITAL PARKING, AND OTHER COMPLEMENTARY AMENITIES SUCH AS INTERNET ACCESS, BOOKS AND DVD'S, LAUNDRY, VAN SHUTTLE, INDOOR PLAY ROOM, AND A LARGE BACKYARD WITH A PLAYGROUND.
  2. $225,624 spent. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM LOCATED AT UNITY POINT- ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL IN CEDAR RAPIDS PROVIDES AMENITIES AND A COMFORTABLE SPACE FOR PARENTS OF HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN, WITH THE BENEFIT OF BEING ONLY STEPS AWAY FROM THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE. THE FAMILY ROOM AREA INCLUDES A KITCHEN, DINING AREA, AND LOUNGE. MEALS, SNACKS AND COFFEE ARE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE FAMILY ROOM AREA PROVIDES A A QUIET PLACE OF RESPITE FOR FAMILIES TO RELAX, TAKE A BREAK, AND TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. THE SLEEP ROOM AREA OFFERS THREE COMFORTABLE GUEST ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT BY PARENTS WHO NEED OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS. THERE IS COST TO USE ANY OF THE FAMILY ROOM SERVICES. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM LOCATED AT UNIVERSITY OF IOWA STEAD FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL ALSO PROVIDES AMENITIES AND A COMFORTABLE SPACE, WITH THE BENEFIT OF BEING ONLY STEPS AWAY FROM THEIR CHILD'S BEDSIDE. THE FAMILY ROOM AREA INCLUDES A KITCHEN, DINING AREA, AND 3 LOUNGES. THE FAMILY ROOM IS LOCATED ON THE PEDIATRIC PICU FLOOR. MEALS, SNACKS AND COFFEE AND AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE UI STEAD FAMILY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FAMILY ROOM HAS ONE SLEEP ROOM AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT FOR DAYTIME NAPS AND OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PARENTS. THERE IS NO COST TO USE ANY OF THE FAMILY ROOM SERVICES.

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 March 1983.

    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.

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.