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Ronald Mcdonald House Charities-Bay Area

EIN 94-2538615 · Palo Alto, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood79 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT REMOVE BARRIERS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE HEALING WHEN CHILDREN NEED HEALTHCARE.

Income
$10.0 million
Spending
$11.4 million
Spent on programs
77%
Reserves
16.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
101
Volunteers
152
Highest pay
$300,849, ceo

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

Good: 79 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    77% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 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: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 23 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, 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 (2)
  1. $8.7 million spent. WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT REMOVE BARRIERS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND PROMOTE HEALING WHEN CHILDREN NEED HEALTHCARE, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES BAY AREA (RMHCBA) HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS FOR 45 YEARS TO PROVIDE WRAPAROUND SERVICES THAT AIM TO GIVE EVERY FAMILY SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THE BEST HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THEIR CHILDREN, INCLUDING HOUSING, MEALS, AND SUPPORT SERVICES, THROUGH OUR:(SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION)- RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT STANFORD (FOUNDED IN 1979): 123-BEDROOM HOUSE NEAR LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES FREE FAMILY HOUSING STAYS, 24/7 FAMILY SERVICES, PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, YOUTH PROGRAMS, ON-SITE K-12 SCHOOL, SEASONAL DAY CAMPS, DAILY MEAL PROGRAM, DAY PASS PROGRAM, AND MORE.- RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE FAMILY ROOM FRANCISCO (FOUNDED IN 2024): LOCATED INSIDE UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAN FRANCISCO, THE FAMILY ROOM BRINGS A SENSE OF HOME TO THE HOSPITAL, PROVIDING FREE WEEKDAY MEALS TO PATIENT FAMILIES, BASIC NEED AND CARE ITEMS, RESPITE, BEDSIDE VISITS, SPECIAL HOLIDAY AND FAMILY ACTIVITY PROGRAMS, AND MORE.- RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OAKLAND (ESTABLISHED IN 2023): 7-BEDROOM HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET FROM UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OAKLAND. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES FREE FAMILY HOUSING STAYS, 24/7 FAMILY SERVICES, PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, YOUTH PROGRAMS, DAILY MEAL SUPPORT, DAY PASS PROGRAM, AND MORE. - FEED THE LOVE IN-HOSPITAL MEALS: OUR AWARD-WINNING IN-HOSPITAL MEAL PROGRAM TACKLES FAMILY HUNGER BY PROVIDING WEEKDAY MEALS AND FOOD ITEMS TO FAMILIES AT THE HOSPITAL.- IN-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS: OUR HAPPY WHEELS HOSPITALITY CART VISITS CRITICAL CARE AND OTHER HOSPITAL UNITS, BRINGING COFFEE, REFRESHMENTS, FOOD ITEMS, ACTIVITY KITS, BASIC NEED CARE ITEMS, AND HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING JUST STEPS AWAY FROM PATIENTS' BEDSIDES. IN ADDITION TO DELIVERING DIRECT SUPPORT, HAPPY WHEELS ALSO RAISES AWARENESS OF OUR DAY PASS PROGRAM, WHICH MAKES EVERY RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE'S FACILITIES (LAUNDRY, SHOWER, KITCHEN, PANTRY), DAILY MEAL PROGRAM, FAMILY ACTIVITIES, AND RESPITE AVAILABLE TO ANY FAMILY AT THE HOSPITAL FROM, 7AM-7PM, EVERY DAY. - 2 RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES OFFERING FREE ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED CHILDREN IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY.RMHCBA'S COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES CREATE A CONTINUUM OF FAMILY-CENTERED CARE THAT INCLUDE: FREE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM HOUSING SERVICES FOR FAMILIES DISPLACED BY MEDICAL CRISES; MEALS AND FOOD PANTRY SUPPORT; IN-HOSPITAL PROGRAMS; AND COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SERVICES, INCLUDING CULTURALLY-RELEVANT PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, FAMILY RECREATION AND WELLNESS, AND CHILD ENRICHMENT SUCH AS DAY CAMPS AND K-12 EDUCATIONAL SERVICES. RMHCBA RELIES ON INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DONORS TO ADVANCE OUR MISSION TO BE THERE FOR SICK KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES, PROVIDING COMFORT AND SUPPORT WHEN AND WHERE THEY NEED IT MOST.FORMERLY THREE SEPARATE ENTITIES THAT MERGED IN JANUARY 2018, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES BAY AREA SERVES FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN ACCESSING ADVANCED PEDIATRIC CARE AT OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS, UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND OAKLAND AND LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL STANFORD. TODAY, WE PROVIDE IN-HOSPITAL PROGRAMMING AT ALL THREE MAJOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS IN THE BAY AREA AND OPERATE OUR 123-BEDROOM RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE AT STANFORD WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST RONALD MCDONALD HOUSES IN THE WORLD AND IN 2023, RMHCBA OPENED THE FIRST RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE IN OAKLAND, LOCATED JUST STEPS AWAY FROM UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OAKLAND. RMHCBA ALSO SUPPORTS RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES OFFERING FREE ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES TO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH JOHN MUIR COMMUNITY HEALTH ALLIANCE, RESPECTIVELY. WHILE OUR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE PROGRAMS INCREASE ACCESS TO LIFESAVING PEDIATRIC CARE BY PROVIDING ACCOMMODATIONS AND FAMILY SERVICES NEAR OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS, OUR RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILES INCREASE ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES WHERE LOW-INCOME CHILDREN NEED IT MOST THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.WE WERE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING IN 2024:- WE PROVIDED $18,500,000 IN HOUSING, MEAL, AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO FAMILIES IN MEDICAL CRISIS. - WE DELIVERED 8,100 SNACK PACKS TO FAMILIES AT THE HOSPITAL.- WE SERVED 126,000 MEALS FOR FAMILIES WITH HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN AT LUCILE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL STANFORD AND UCSF BENIOFF CHILDREN'S HOSPITALS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND OAKLAND.- WE PROVIDED MORE THAN 34,000 OVERNIGHT STAYS FOR FAMILIES.- WE PROVIDED OVER 2,300 HOURS OF PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT THROUGH OUR FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM. - OUR COMMUNITY RALLIED DURING OUR HOLIDAY COMFORT & JOY DRIVE TO PROVIDE OVER 5,000 TOYS AND CARE ITEMS. - 150 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR K-12 RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE SCHOOL.WE SERVE A LARGELY INVISIBLE POPULATION OF AT-RISK CHILDREN WHO REQUIRE BASIC NEEDS SUPPORT AND SPECIALIZED FAMILY-CENTERED CARE TO COPE WITH SERIOUS MEDICAL CRISES AND ACCESS TREATMENTS AT OUR PARTNER HOSPITALS. SOCIOECONOMIC RISKS ARE MAGNIFIED FOR THE 56% OF FAMILIES WE SERVE WHO REPORTED HOUSEHOLD FOOD INSECURITY AND THE 40% WHO REPORT HAVING TO QUIT OR REDUCE WORK TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILD. FAMILY DEMOGRAPHICS INCLUDE HISPANIC/LATINO (41%), CAUCASIAN (39%), ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER (7%), AFRICAN AMERICAN (5%), OTHER (4%), NATIVE AMERICAN/ALASKAN (2%), AND MULTI-ETHNIC (2%). THE TOP CLINICAL SERVICES ACCESSED BY FAMILIES AT STANFORD ARE CARDIOLOGY, ONCOLOGY, NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE, AND ORGAN TRANSPLANTS. TOP CLINICAL SERVICES ACCESSED BY SAN FRANCISCO FAMILIES ARE CARDIOLOGY, ONCOLOGY, AND NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE. TOP CLINICAL SERVICES ACCESSED BY OAKLAND FAMILIES ARE BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT AND ONCOLOGY. RELYING ON COMMUNITY SUPPORTRMHCBA RECEIVES 88% OF ITS OPERATING REVENUE FROM PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS, INCLUDING INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS, ENDOWMENT INCOME, EVENT ATTENDEES AND SPONSORS, FOUNDATIONS, AND CORPORATIONS, AND IN-KIND SUPPORT. GRATEFUL FAMILIES DONATE TO SUPPORT OUR COMPREHENSIVE PRO
  2. $81,422 spent. RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILETHE RONALD MCDONALD CARE MOBILE ("RMCM") PROGRAM PROVIDES ORAL HEALTH SERVICES TO LOW INCOME CHILDREN WHO WOULD OTHERWISE GO WITHOUT CARE. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATIONS, OUR RMCM PROGRAMS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST BAY AREA ARE BRINGING ESSENTIAL ORAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND EDUCATION DIRECTLY TO THOSE IN NEED SO CHILDREN FACING SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL BARRIERS TO CARE CAN RECEIVE HIGH QUALITY CONVENIENT DENTAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION. EACH PARTNER PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN PROVIDING RMCM SERVICES. RMHCBA SUPPORTS THIS PROGRAM THROUGH ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROVIDING THE MOBILE CLINIC FACILITY. CLINICAL PARTNERS AND HEALTH (CONTINUED ON SCH. O) CARE ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE DENTAL SCREENINGS AND SERVICES, PATIENT TRACKING, ASSISTANCE WITH BENEFIT ENROLLMENT, AND ASSISTANCE IN IDENTIFYING AND ESTABLISHING A CONNECTION TO A DENTAL AND MEDICAL HOME FOR THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY. HEALTH CARE PARTNERS ALSO MANAGE THE MOBILE CLINIC AND PROGRAM COORDINATION.

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 1979.

    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.