Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville

What Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville does

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville (RMHC Jacksonville) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity (EIN 59-2625008), founded in November 1988 in Jacksonville, Florida, operating a 53-bedroom "home away from home" for families with seriously ill or injured children (up to age 18) receiving medical treatment at Jacksonville-area pediatric hospitals. The organization is a licensed local chapter of the global Ronald McDonald House Charities network and benefits from the Ronald McDonald House brand, which is owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates. Since opening with 10 bedrooms in 1988, the House has expanded through three phases — to 20 bedrooms (November 2001), 30 bedrooms (July 2004), and 53 bedrooms (2016, via a $12.5 million capital project) — and has served more than 43,500 families cumulatively.

RMHC Jacksonville has no proprietary technology platform; its core "products" are physical hospitality services delivered at the facility: private suites with full bathrooms, daily warm meals, transportation to hospital appointments, on-site laundry, 24/7 staffing and security, and a peer community of families facing similar medical journeys. Supporting programs include the Meals that Heal volunteer meal program (now extended to Wolfson Children's Hospital), Individual and Community Champions group volunteering, Adopt-A-Room sponsorships ($3,500/room/year), the House of Hope Giving Society ($2,500+/year), and Planned Giving vehicles (charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, bequests, life insurance designations). Three signature annual events — McGala, the Annual Golf Classic, and the Light Up the House 5K & Block Party — drive awareness and fundraising.

Revenue is generated entirely through philanthropy across more than eight streams: individual donations via the qgiv donation portal, McDonald's Round-Up and in-store donation boxes, Florida DMV tag and driver's license contributions, corporate and community fundraising, Adopt-A-Room and House of Hope sponsorships, Meals that Heal sponsorships, planned giving, and signature events. Families access services free of charge via healthcare-provider referrals from six major Jacksonville institutions: Wolfson Children's Hospital (primary), UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Brooks Rehabilitation, and Daniel Kids. The organization operates from a single headquarters at 824 Children's Way, Jacksonville, FL 32207, with a staff of 26.

Name

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville

Legal name

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville

Website

https://rmhcjacksonville.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 53-bedroom facility that provides free lodging, meals, transportation, and support to families with seriously ill or injured children receiving medical treatment at Jacksonville-area pediatric hospitals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Jacksonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals, processed through the organization's website donation portal (qgiv). Donors receive tax deduction confirmation (EIN 59-2625008).
2. Corporate & Community Fundraising: Corporate partners, civic groups, schools, and businesses organize fundraisers on behalf of RMHC Jacksonville. The development department supports these efforts with materials and staff participation.
3. McDonald's Round-Up Program: Customers at McDonald's restaurants can round up their purchase total to benefit RMHC Jacksonville. Also includes in-store donation boxes and in-store promotions.
4. Driver's License & Tag Renewal Contributions: Florida residents can add $5 or more to their vehicle tag/driver's license renewal to support RMHC Jacksonville.
5. Planned Giving & Bequests: Donors can contribute through charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, gift annuities, bequests, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
6. Adopt-A-Room Program: Companies or individuals sponsor one of 53 guest rooms for $3,500 per year, covering room maintenance, supplies, and receiving recognition. One-year recognition on Adopt-A-Room Supporters wall.
7. House of Hope Giving Society: Annual giving society for donors contributing $2,500 or more per year, with exclusive communications, recognition, and invitation-only events.
8. Meals that Heal Sponsorships: Groups can sponsor meals for families — $750 donation where the organization's chef plans the menu and all ingredients are prepared on-site. Alternatively, groups create their own menu or sponsor catered meals.
9. Major Gifts: Significant individual or corporate gifts, such as the Anderson-DuBose Company's $200,000 gift ($100,000 from CEO Warren Anderson, matched $100,000 by VanTrust Real Estate).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RMHC Jacksonville operates a 53-bedroom residential facility at 824 Children's Way in Jacksonville, FL that provides free private-suite lodging, daily meals, transportation to hospital appointments, on-site laundry, and a supportive peer community to families with seriously ill or injured children (up to age 18) receiving medical treatment at Jacksonville-area pediatric hospitals. All services are delivered free of charge to eligible families who are referred through healthcare partners, funded entirely through donations, corporate partnerships, planned giving, McDonald's Round-Up contributions, and signature fundraising events.

Product overview

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville operates as a single unified nonprofit service organization providing essential housing and support services to families with seriously ill or injured children. The core offering is the 53-bedroom Ronald McDonald House facility at 824 Children's Way, which provides private suites, warm meals, transportation, and a supportive community for families traveling to Jacksonville for pediatric medical care. Supporting the core House are multiple program modules including the Meals that Heal volunteer meal program, Individual and Group (Community Champions) volunteer opportunities, Adopt-A-Room corporate partnerships, the House of Hope Giving Society for major donors, Planned Giving legacy options, and signature fundraising events (McGala, Annual Golf Classic, Light Up the House 5K). Transportation services via the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile round out the service portfolio. The organization also partners with McDonald's for Round-Up donations and operates a Wish List program for in-kind donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ronald McDonald House (Main Facility)
• Meals that Heal Program
• Adopt-A-Room Program
• House of Hope Giving Society
• Planned Giving
• McGala
• Annual Golf Classic
• Light Up the House 5K & Block Party
• Round-Up Program
• Ronald McDonald Care Mobile (Transportation)

Quantifiable outcome

• 43,500+ families served since 1988
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• McDonald's Corporation and Local Owner/OperatorscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMcDonald's is the founding and ongoing strategic partner of RMHC globally and locally. McDonald's licenses the Ronald McDonald House name to the Jacksonville chapter, contributes through in-store donation boxes, Round-Up promotions, event sponsorships, and McDonald's owner/operators serve on the local Board of Directors (e.g., Will Garcia). This is the organization's most foundational and strategically important partnership.
• VyStar Credit UnionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerVyStar Credit Union is the Presenting Sponsor of the Light Up the House 5k & Block Party (November 14, 2026). This is a significant event sponsorship providing major visibility and community engagement.
• Wolfson Children's HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary healthcare referral partner. Located near the House, Wolfson Children's Hospital provides the majority of pediatric patient referrals. RMHC Jacksonville also delivers meals to select high-risk families at Wolfson through the expanded Meals that Heal program. Dinner is served 5:30–6:30 p.m. at Wolfson Children's Hospital.
• Brooks RehabilitationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare referral partner providing pediatric rehabilitation services. Kris Roberts, COO of Brooks Rehabilitation's Inpatient and Home Health divisions, serves on the RMHC Jacksonville Board of Directors, strengthening the partnership.
• Nemours Children's Specialty CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare referral partner providing pediatric specialty care. Tara Spruill from Nemours Children's Health Jacksonville serves on the RMHC Jacksonville Board of Directors.
• UF Health Jacksonville / UF Health Proton Therapy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare referral partners. UF Health Proton Therapy Institute specializes in pediatric proton radiation therapy (as in Polly Jackett's case from Australia). Dr. Danny Indelicato from UF Health Proton Therapy Institute serves on the Board of Directors.
• Daniel KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare referral partner for pediatric patients and families in Jacksonville.
• Marsh Landing Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for the Annual Golf Classic (October 5, 2026), providing the golf course facility for the organization's flagship fundraising event.
• Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & SpaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for McGala 2027 (May 1, 2027), providing the event venue for the organization's annual black-tie fundraising gala.
• Ocean Floor AquariumsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerously provided and installed the stunning saltwater aquarium in the House lobby, which is described as a beloved feature captivating both guests and staff alike.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities (Global)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal RMHC provides seed grants to local chapters and licenses the Ronald McDonald House name and brand. CEO Joey Leik was appointed to the Ronald McDonald House Strategic Grantmaking Global Advisory Team, recognizing her leadership and strengthening the local-global connection.
• THE PLAYERS Center for Child HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner represented on the Board of Directors by Megan Denk. Supports the mission of keeping families close to pediatric care.
• Jacksonville JaguarsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNFL franchise Jacksonville Jaguars represented on the Board of Directors by Jessica Jones. The partnership provides community visibility and cross-promotional opportunities for pediatric family support initiatives.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brent's Place: Colorado-based nonprofit providing free lodging for pediatric patients undergoing long-term treatment (notably bone marrow transplant) and their families. Same core service of charitable medical lodging with kitchen, meals, and family support programming; comparable scale, donor-funded model, and hospital referral pipeline.
• The Children's Inn at NIH: Bethesda, MD-based nonprofit providing free lodging and support to families of children receiving treatment at the NIH Clinical Center. Same charitable-lodging-for-pediatric-medical-families model, same donation-funded operation, similar focus on keeping families close during treatment.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Tampa Bay: Another Florida RMHC chapter with the same mission, brand license, and operating model in a different regional market. Comparable scale, fundraising approach, and pediatric-hospital referral dependency.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida: RMHC chapter serving the Gainesville area around UF Health Shands. Same charitable lodging mission and revenue model; small-staff, single-facility operation comparable to RMHC Jacksonville's structure.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida: Sister RMHC chapter serving Orlando/Central Florida. Same mission (free lodging for families of pediatric patients), same McDonald's licensing, same referral-driven model with similar hospital partners, same fundraising playbook (events, Adopt-A-Room, planned giving). Directly comparable operating structure.

Broad incumbents

• Hope Lodge (American Cancer Society): American Cancer Society's national network of free, donation-funded lodging facilities for cancer patients and caregivers. Operates a much broader, multi-facility version of the same charitable lodging model; comparable donor-supported operating model and similar reliance on hospital referrals. Differs in adult/cancer focus vs. RMHC's pediatric focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rmhcjacksonville

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville