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Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga Inc

EIN 62-1327855 · Chattanooga, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR MISSION OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA INC. IS TO PROVIDE FAMILIES OF SICK CHILDREN WITH THE CARE AND RESOURCES THEY NEED AND TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT ADDRESS THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$3.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
29
Volunteers
277
Highest pay
$196,470, president & ceo

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: 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 19.4 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 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 40% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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

    17 of 17 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 (4)
  1. $1.6 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND MAINTAINS A 28 BEDROOM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE TO SERVE FAMILIES OF SERIOUSLY ILL CHILDREN, STAFFED WITH ALMOST 277 VOLUNTEERS. THE HOUSE SERVED AN AVERAGE OF 42 FAMILIES PER MONTH IN 2025. OF THOSE SERVED IN 2025, 53% WERE FROM TENNESSEE, 30% WERE FROM GEORGIA, 4% WERE FROM NORTH CAROLINA, 3% WERE FROM ALABAMA, AND THE REMAINING 10% WERE FORM VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS.
  2. $329,617 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATES AND MAINTAINS THE RONALD MCDONALD FAMILY ROOM LOCATED WITHIN THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT ERLANGER FOR THE BENEFIT OF FAMILIES HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN AND OTHERS. THEY PROVIDE WASHING MACHINES, SHOWERS, FOOD & REFRESHMENTS, TELEPHONES, AND AN AREA FOR TEMPORARY REST AWAY FROM THEIR CHILD. THE FAMILY ROOMS GUEST AVERAGED 99 PER MONTH IN 2025.
  3. $135,693 spent. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO PROVIDES COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES IN THE REGION. DURING 2025, THE ORGANIZATION AWARDED 23 SCHOLARSHIPS, TOTALING $42,320. APPLICATIONS ARE INITIALLY RECEIVED AND PROCESSED THROUGH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHATTANOOGA. THE ORGANIZATION THEN REVIEWS THE APPLICATIONS, INTERVIEWS EACH CANDIDATE AND SELECTS THE INDIVIDUALS TO RECEIVE THE AWARDS. THE CHATTANOOGA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, UNDER CONTRACT, PROVIDES ADMINISTRATION FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
  4. $77,572 spent. HOUSE TO HOME

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 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 June 1988.

    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.