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Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Columbia Sc

EIN 57-0725736 · Columbia, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES COLUMBIA, SC CREATES, FUNDS AND SUPPORTS PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
38
Volunteers
550
Highest pay
$14,890, executive director thru april 2024

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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. $882,249 spent. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE: BEING AWAY FROM HOME WITH A SERIOUSLY ILL OR INJURED CHILD IS DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL FOR FAMILIES. THE COST OF HOTEL ROOMS, LONG COMMUTES, LENGTHY HOSPITAL STAYS AND BEING AWAY FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN A STRANGE PLACE TAKES AN ENORMOUS EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL TOLL ON FAMILIES IN CRISES. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BEING AWAY FROM HOME, AND PERHAPS UNABLE TO WORK, CAN TAKE A FINANCIAL TOLL ON FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY THOSE DEALING WITH THE MEDICAL CRISIS OF A CHILD. THEREFORE, THOUGH IT COSTS $89/PER FAMILY, PER NIGHT TO OPERATE THE HOUSE PROGRAM, WE ONLY ENCOURAGE, BUT NEVER REQUIRE, FAMILIES TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION OF JUST $15 PER NIGHT. HOWEVER, NO FAMILY IS EVER TURNED AWAY DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE. THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IS OPEN TO SERVE FAMILIES 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK, AND 365 DAYS A YEAR.
  2. $196,575 spent. THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM EXTENDS THE COMFORT OF THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TO PRISMA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND PROVIDES AN OASIS FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF HOSPITAL CORRIDORS AND CROWDED WAITING ROOMS. THE FAMILY ROOM OFFERS REFRESHMENTS, INTERNET ACCESS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE HELPING HAND OF CARING VOLUNTEERS. THE ROOM IS OPEN 8-12:30 MONDAY TO FRIDAY. THE PACK-A-SMILE PROGRAM STARTED AS A WAY FOR RMHC COLUMBIA, SC, TO HELP MORE FAMILIES DURING THE PANDEMIC BY PROVIDING FREE BAGGED BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. THE PROGRAM WAS SUCH A SUCCESS AND MET SUCH A NEED THAT IT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. FAMILIES GRAB A PACK-A-SMILE LUNCH QUICKLY, SAFELY, AND WITHOUT LEAVING THE HOSPITAL. PACK-A-SMILE LUNCHES ARE NUTRITIOUS, INCLUDING ITEMS SUCH AS A LUNCHABLE OR UNCRUSTABLE, FRUIT, SOMETHING SALTY, SOMETHING SWEET, A BOTTLE OF WATER, AND A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FROM OUR COMMUNITY. FOR THOSE FAMILIES FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO STAY WITH THEIR CHILD IN THE HOSPITAL, THERE ARE SOME DISADVANTAGES. ADEQUATE SLEEP WHILE ALWAYS KEEPING AN EAR OPEN TO HEAR THEIR CHILD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. FOR THIS REASON, WE HAVE STARTED A TREAT TROLLEY THAT TRAVELS ROOM TO ROOM AT PRISMA HEALTH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TO OFFER COFFEE, TEA, AND LIGHT BREAKFAST ITEMS.
  3. $34,666 spent. OTHER CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES PERFORMED BY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES COLUMBIA, SC.

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 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 May 1982.

    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.