Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of St Louis
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
BY CREATING, FINDING AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES IS WORKING TO BETTER THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD.
- Income
- $9.9 million
- Spending
- $6.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 71%
- Reserves
- 43 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 64
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $271,882, president
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: 85 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 43.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 26% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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.
Independent board
25 of 2526 of 26 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, 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)
- $4.9 million spent. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF ST. LOUIS FULFILLS THEIR MISSION THROUGH THE OPERATION OF SUSTAINABLE PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE FAMILY-CENTERED CARE, BRIDGE ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE, ARE A VITAL PART OF THE HEALTH CARE CONTINUUM AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES DURING DIFFICULT TIMES. THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS REPRESENT THE CORE FUNCTIONS:RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE:WHEN CHILDREN MUST TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES TO ACCESS TOP MEDICAL CARE, ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES CAN BE EXPENSIVE OR NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS FAMILIES STAY CLOSE TO THEIR ILL OR INJURED CHILD THROUGH THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES TEMPORARY LODGING, MEALS AND OTHER SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES FAMILIES WITH EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL COMFORT AND INCREASES THE CAREGIVERS' ABILITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR CHILD, TO INTERACT WITH THEIR CLINICAL CARE TEAM AND TO PARTICIPATE IN CRITICAL MEDICAL CARE DECISIONS. A TOTAL OF 628 FAMILIES RECEIVED LOW OR NO-COST HOUSING DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025.RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM:WHEN A CHILD IS CRITICALLY ILL, PARENTS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL. IN ORDER TO PROVIDE COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO THEIR CHILD, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REST, HAVE A MEAL OR HAVE A MOMENT OF QUIET. LOCATED INSIDE MEDICAL CARE FACILITIES, THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM IN MERCY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, SSM HEALTH CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND ST. LOUIS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SERVE AS A PLACE OF RESPITE, RELAXATION, AND PRIVACY FOR FAMILY MEMBERS, OFTEN JUST STEPS AWAY FROM WHERE THEIR CHILD IS BEING TREATED. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM PROVIDES PARENTS WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR HOSPITALIZED CHILD AND TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THEIR CHILD'S HEALTH CARE TEAM. THE FAMILY ROOMS SERVED 5,086 FAMILIES DURING THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025.
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
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 October 13, 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 2025.
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 April 1979.
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 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.