Ronald McDonald House Charities

A Ronald McDonald House (named after Ronald McDonald) is a place where the parents of children that are in a nearby hospital can stay at night for reduced or no cost. The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1974. In 1985, the first Ronald McDonald House outside the United States opened, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. In 1991, the 150th Ronald McDonald House opened, in Paris, France. On July 25, 2005, the 250th opened, in Caracas, Venezuela.

Short facts
As of 2005:
 * Present in 48 countries, with one or more Ronald McDonald House programs in 27 countries
 * Provides more than 6,000 bedrooms each night for families of ill children through its network of 250 Ronald McDonald House programs
 * Provided more than 10 million families with temporary residences near medical facilities where their children are being treated for serious illnesses
 * Supported by more than 30,000 volunteers who help in the Ronald McDonald House Charity programs worldwide
 * Ronald McDonald House Charities has provided more than $400 million in grants and program services to causes worldwide that benefit children.
 * The cost per night varies at each House ($10 or $15 are common).

Funding
The Ronald McDonald Houses are financially supported by donations from the public and corporate donors who form cause marketing partnerships with the organization. In many McDonald's restaurants, a pocket change piggy bank is placed as a fundraiser, donations to which are forwarded to the Ronald McDonald Houses. The houses are not owned or operated by the McDonald’s company, but the company provides the houses with free equipment and services to reduce the cost of operation, and public awareness through fundraising events. In 2003, Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, donated $60 million to the Ronald McDonald House Charity. The Ronald McDonald House Charities are the official philanthropy of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. In 2007, it was among over 530 arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Through the Ronald McDonald House's Pop Tab Collection Program, to date more than $4 million has been generated. The Pop Tab Collection Program has been established to allow individuals and businesses to collect pop tabs from aluminum cans and donate them to the Ronald McDonald House. Though it differs from House to House, for the most part, Ronald McDonald House uses the money received from recycling the tabs to help offset operational expenses or to sponsor or support programs. Not all Houses participate in the Pop Tab Program.

Awards
Worth magazine named Ronald McDonald House Charity one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” in 2001 and 2002.