Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada
STAR RATINGCi's Star Rating is calculated based on the following independent metrics: |
✔+
FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY
Audited financial statements for current and previous years available on the charity’s website.
A-
RESULTS REPORTING
Grade based on the charity's public reporting of the work it does and the results it achieves.
Fair
DEMONSTRATED IMPACT
The demonstrated impact per dollar Ci calculates from available program information.
NEED FOR FUNDING
Charity's cash and investments (funding reserves) relative to how much it spends on programs in most recent year.
68%
CENTS TO THE CAUSE
For a dollar donated, after overhead costs of fundraising and admin/management (excluding surplus) 68 cents are available for programs.
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OVERVIEW
About Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada:
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada is a 3-star charity with an above average results reporting grade of A-. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available to go towards the cause. Its reserve funds can cover four years and two months of annual program costs.
Founded in 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC Canada) is the national foundation of support for 12 RMHC Regional Chapters across Canada. Regional Chapters support families with sick children who struggle with the travel needed to access treatment. RMHC Canada reports that two thirds of families live outside of a city with a children’s hospital. It also states that families must travel an average of two and a half hours to access treatment for their child.
RMHC Canada runs two main programs: RMHC Houses and RMHC Family Rooms. Charity Intelligence estimates RMHC Canada spent $11.6m on its grants in 2024. It also reports an additional $4.7m in donor-designated grants. Both the grants and donor-designated grants go to the Regional Chapters. Ci did not find a breakdown of program spending in the charity’s annual report or on its website.
RMHC Houses are located near children’s hospitals. This proximity reduces stress from travel and keeps families closer to their children. RMHC Houses provide family bedrooms, kitchens, playrooms, and support services. There are 16 RMHC Houses in Canada.
RMHC Family Rooms are located inside children’s hospitals. They provide a medical-free location for families to relax and recharge. RMHC Family Rooms include kitchens, showers, lounge areas, and sometimes private sleeping rooms. There are 19 RMHC Family Rooms in Canada. RMHC Canada reports that there were 289,545 Family Room visits in 2024.
RMHC Canada reports that in total, there were 485,357 meals served in 2024. It also reports there were 164,059 overnight stays in the RMHC Houses and Family Rooms. The charity reports 28,920 families were served in 2024.
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Results and Impact
RMHC Canada surveyed families in its programs. The results are as follows:
- 86% of families reported that RMHC programs improved their child’s recovery at the hospital.
- 94% reported that RMHC programs improved their mental and emotional well-being.
- 94% reported that RMHC programs improved their ability to be involved in their child’s care.
- 98% reported RMHC programs allowed them to rest and maintain their physical well-being.
- 98% reported RMHC programs eased their financial burden.
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) conducted an economic impact study on RMHC Canada in 2024. RMHC Canada reports this study found that it saved families $66.5m in out-of-pocket expenses in 2024.
While Ci highlights these key results, they may not completely represent Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada's results and impact.
Charity Intelligence has given RMHC Canada a Fair impact rating based on demonstrated impact per dollar spent.
Impact Rating: Fair
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Finances
Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada’s audited financial statements follow activity-based costing, a best practice. This means its expenses are clearly defined between program, administrative, and fundraising categories.
In 2024 RMHC Canada received $19.1m in donations and special events fundraising. The charity received $12.7m in contributions from related parties’ fundraising activities. Related parties represent McDonald’s, McDonald’s franchisees, employees, and directors at RMHC Canada.
Administrative costs are 10% of revenues (excluding investment income). Fundraising costs are 22% of donations. This results in total overhead spending of 32%. For every dollar donated, 68 cents are available to go to the cause. This falls within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending.
In 2024 RMHC Canada spent $16.3m on its programs and grants, which is 65% of its revenue (excluding donor-designated grants). In 2024 it had a surplus of $5.3m, which is 21% of its revenue.
RMHC Canada has $48.9m in reserve funds (cash and investments). The reserves can cover 421%, or four years and two months of program costs. RMHC Canada’s 2024 return on investment was 13%. Its five-year annual return on investment is 6%.
The most recent T3010 filing at the time of this update was from 2023. RMHC Canada does not report any paid employees in this filing.
This charity report is an update that has been sent for review to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.
Updated on June 19, 2025, by Grady Simpson.
Financial Review
Fiscal year ending December
|
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative costs as % of revenues | 9.6% | 9.4% | 11.5% |
| Fundraising costs as % of donations | 22.2% | 31.7% | 26.6% |
| Total overhead spending | 31.8% | 41.1% | 38.1% |
| Program cost coverage (%) | 421.2% | 420.5% | 460.5% |
Summary Financial StatementsAll figures in $000s |
2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 18,788 | 17,100 | 15,854 |
| Special events | 321 | 306 | 253 |
| Investment income | 5,779 | 3,047 | (2,876) |
| Other income | 253 | 554 | 318 |
| Total revenues | 25,141 | 21,007 | 13,548 |
| Grants | 11,606 | 10,391 | 8,897 |
| Donor-designated donations | 4,665 | 4,601 | 3,770 |
| Administrative costs | 1,849 | 1,691 | 1,887 |
| Fundraising costs | 1,428 | 1,513 | 1,175 |
| Other costs | 324 | (151) | 29 |
| Total spending | 19,872 | 18,044 | 15,759 |
| Cash flow from operations | 5,269 | 2,963 | (2,211) |
| Capital spending | 56 | 79 | 56 |
| Funding reserves | 48,886 | 43,689 | 40,968 |
Note: Investments: Ci included investment income reported below the line. This affected revenues by $5.8m in 2024, $3.0m in 2023, and ($2.9m) in 2022. Change in due from related parties: Ci adjusted for change in due from related parties. This affected revenues by $723k in 2024, ($826k) in 2023, and ($159k) in 2022. Amortization: Ci removed amortization on a pro rata basis from administrative and fundraising costs in 2024, 2023, and 2022. Change in due to related parties: Ci adjusted for change in due to related parties. This affected expenses by $324k in 2024, ($151k) in 2023, and $29k in 2022. Grants payable: Ci adjusted for changes in grants payable. This affected expenses by ($64k) in 2024, $11k in 2023, and ($180k) in 2022.
Salary Information
$350k + |
0 |
$300k - $350k |
0 |
$250k - $300k |
0 |
$200k - $250k |
0 |
$160k - $200k |
0 |
$120k - $160k |
0 |
$80k - $120k |
0 |
$40k - $80k |
0 |
< $40k |
0 |
Information from most recent CRA Charities Directorate filings for F2023
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Comments & Contact
Comments added by the Charity:
Charity Contact
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