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Ronald Mcdonald House Charities of Southern California

EIN 95-3167869 · Los Angeles, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RMHCSC PROVIDES COMFORT, CARE AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. OUR VISION IS A COMMUNITY WHERE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES EMBRACE LIFE AND HEALING WITH A SENSE OF HOPE, ENTHUSIASM, COURAGE AND JOY.

Income
$21.9 million
Spending
$24.0 million
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
-1.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
213
Volunteers
4,000
Highest pay
$266,747, chief executive officer

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

Fair: 50 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 26 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

    27 of 27 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. $15.2 million spent. RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WAS FOUNDED IN 1977 WITH A MISSION TO PROVIDE COMFORT, CARE, AND SUPPORT TO CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. TODAY, THE CHAPTER OPERATES SIX HOUSES ACROSS THE REGION IN ORANGE COUNTY, LONG BEACH, INLAND EMPIRE, LOS ANGELES, BAKERSFIELD, AND PASADENA THAT COLLECTIVELY OFFER ACCOMMODATION AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO 168 FAMILIES EVERY NIGHT, 365 DAYS A YEAR. WE PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 26 REGIONAL HOSPITALS, HELPING FILL A CRITICAL HEALTHCARE GAP FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS. STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS STRIVE TO OFFER EVERY COMFORT OF HOME TO FAMILIES STAYING AT THE HOUSE, INCLUDING: COMFORTABLE ROOMS THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO FOUR MEMBERS OF CHILD'S FAMILY; COMMUNAL KITCHENS WHERE FAMILIES CAN PREPARE "HOME-COOKED" MEALS DURING THEIR STAY; ACTIVITIES AND MEALS PLANNED BY VOLUNTEER GROUPS; FREE LAUNDRY FACILITIES; COMPUTER AND ENTERTAINMENT AREAS; AND A SPRAWLING BACKYARD WITH DINING AND PLAY AREAS. A HIGHLY TRAINED TEAM OF GUEST SERVICES ASSOCIATES CONFER DAILY WITH HOSPITAL STAFF AND SOCIAL WORKERS, GREET FAMILIES AS THEY CHECK-IN, AND TEND TO FAMILIES' DAILY NEEDS TO HELP MINIMIZE DISTRACTIONS FROM THEIR CHILD'S CARE. A TEAM OF FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALISTS WORKS ON-SITE AT OUR HOUSES TO OFFER EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES THROUGH PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND WORKSHOPS. IN ORANGE AND VENTURA COUNTY, OUR THREE FAMILY ROOMS PROVIDE 24-HOUR ACCESS TO COMFORT STATIONS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL SETTING INCLUDING LIVING ROOMS WITH COMPUTERS AND TELEVISIONS, QUIET ROOMS, AND PLAY AREAS WHERE PARENTS AND SIBLINGS CAN REST AND CONNECT WITH OTHER FAMILIES.
  2. $2.6 million spent. CAMP RONALD MCDONALD FOR GOOD TIMES OFFERS AN AUTHENTIC CAMP EXPERIENCE TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR SIBLINGS. CAMP IS GROUNDED IN THE FIELD'S BEST PRACTICES, PROVIDING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH TO PRACTICE SKILLS THAT HAVE PROVEN TO LEAD TO SUCCESS IN CAREER AND LIFE, INCLUDING LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION/TEAM WORK, PROBLEM SOLVING AND INITIATIVE/SELF-DIRECTION. THE YEAR-ROUND PROGRAM FEATURES FIVE WEEK-LONG SUMMER SESSIONS, TWO HOLIDAY-WEEKEND WINTER CAMPS, AND EIGHT WEEKEND FAMILY CAMPS (TWO IN SPANISH). A NEW CAMP PROGRAM FOR TEENSWILDERNESS OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (W.O.L.P.) IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO ADDRESS A HOST OF ISSUES THAT AFFECT ADOLESCENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED A CANCER DIAGNOSIS. ACTIVITIES LIKE HIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, ARCHERY, AND SWIMMING HELP BUILD MOTIVATION AND RESILIENCY IN CHILDREN FACING DIFFICULT, LONG-TERM MEDICAL TREATMENTS, AND CREATE POSITIVE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES FOR SIBLINGS WHO TYPICALLY ARE DENIED SUCH EXPERIENCES DUE TO THEIR FAMILY'S FOCUS ON A BROTHER OR SISTER'S LONG-TERM MEDICAL CARE. EACH PARTICIPANT MAY ATTEND BOTH A SUMMER WEEK AND WINTER WEEKEND SESSION, ALONG WITH THEIR AGE-APPROPRIATE SIBLINGS, FREE OF CHARGE.ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED AT OUR 60 ACRE FACILITY IN MOUNTAIN CENTER, CALIFORNIA. THE CAMP FACILITY IS COMPRISED OF 14 CABINS (200 BEDS), A POOL, ACTIVITY AREAS, HIKING TRAILS, A RADIO STATION, A DINING HALL, AS WELL AS A "MED SHED," WHERE ALL OF OUR CAMPERS' MEDICAL NEEDS CAN BE ADDRESSED WHILE THEY ARE ON-SITE.

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 November 1977.

    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.