Who We Are

Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

Founded in 1985, RMHC-EIWI provides care and comfort to children and their families by supporting the 31-room “home-away-from-home” Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City. Additional programs include a Ronald McDonald Family Room at UnityPoint Health, St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, and a Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Food Pantry at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

Through the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City and our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, we help remove the barriers that separate families while they receive treatment for an ill or injured child. We’re more than just a place to stay—our House and Family Rooms provide the essential comforts of home: warm beds, hot showers, home-cooked meals, kitchen and laundry facilities, recreation areas, and more.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois welcome families from all backgrounds.

Through donations, volunteers, and a caring staff, we were able to be there for our daughter when she needed us most. You never know what life is bringing your way, but whatever happens, Ronald McDonald House will be there for your family in almost any way possible.

TIA T. - BELLEVUE, IA

Mission

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois is committed to providing services that directly improve the health and well-being of children while offering a community of comfort and support for families seeking medical care for a child.

Vision

We lead with compassion. We focus on the needs of caregivers. We believe when families are together, they cope better and no family should have to navigate their child’s medical journey alone.

Values

We are ACCOUNTABLE & TRANSPARENT – leading with honesty and integrity.

We are ACCEPTING of all – valuing diversity, equity and inclusion.

We are COMPASSIONATE – treating our guests, staff, and volunteers with kindness and grace.

We believe in COMMUNITY – partnering with and respecting our neighbors and stakeholders.

We are RESPONSIBLE – taking seriously our commitment to use gifts and resources effectively and believing in the importance of expressing our gratitude to our supporters.

We GROW leaders – supporting opportunities for our staff to grow and empowering them to be their best selves.

History

Why Ronald McDonald House?

The idea for a Ronald McDonald House began in Philadelphia in 1973, when Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, learned that his three-year-old daughter, Kim, had leukemia. While the Eagles organized fundraising efforts to assist the fight against leukemia, the idea of a ‘home-away-from-home’ where out-of-town families could stay during their child’s hospital treatment was born.

Why Ronald McDonald?

The Eagles enlisted the help of their local McDonald’s restaurants to raise money for the first House. Today, there are over 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, each independently owned and operated. McDonald’s is only one of many generous donors, so community-wide support is the essential ingredient for each House. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities, please visit www.rmhc.org.

Financial Accountability

CliftonLarsonAllen LLP performs an annual audit of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois. No state or federal tax dollars are used by this organization. Through the generosity of loyal donors, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois is 100% privately supported. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois’ tax ID Number is 42-1189783. Donations accepted by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois are tax-deductible.

RMHC-EIWI is proud to have been awarded our fifth consecutive Charity Navigator 4-Star rating. This is the highest possible rating and indicates that our organization adheres to sector best practices and executes our mission in a financially efficient way. Only 15% of the charities Charity Navigator evaluates have received at least 5 consecutive 4-star evaluations.