Ronald McDonal House
Fast Facts

The mission of the Ronald McDonald House® of Cleveland is to support families whose children are receiving treatment at area medical centers by providing a home-like environment and essential resources and services.

  • The first Ronald McDonald House was founded in Philadelphia in 1974. Today there are over 270 Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries.

  • The Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland opened its doors on September 25, 1979. The ninth Ronald House to be founded, it had 26 bedrooms, a kitchen, playroom, television room and a small garden.

  • In 1994, the Cleveland Ronald McDonald House opened the doors of a new facility on Euclid Avenue. At the time, it was the ninth largest in the world, with 37 guestrooms, living and play areas, laundry facilities, six fully equipped kitchens and two and one-half acres of beautiful gardens.

  • Each year the Ronald McDonald House welcomes more than 1,200 families who come from throughout Ohio, across the nation, and around the world. More than 28,000 families have been served since 1979.

  • Hundreds of volunteers help run the House, register families, maintain the gardens, and provide special programs and meals for the families who stay at the House. The Ronald McDonald House employs the equivalent of eight full-time staff members.

  • Families are asked to pay $20 per night. The actual cost to accommodate a family is $75 per night. The modest fees are waived or reduced in cases of financial hardship. Currently 44% of the families staying at the House do so at the reduced rate or with the fee deferred.

  • Annually, more than 150 volunteers provide approximately 20,000 hours of service to the House. In addition, volunteer community groups provide over 300 meals per year to families staying at the House.

  • A team of dedicated volunteers lovingly maintains over two acres of gardens and play areas. As a result of these efforts, in 1997 the National Wildlife Federation certified the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

  • Room fees only cover 13% of the House’s operating expenses. The balance of the budget is supported by charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northeastern Ohio, as well as from the proceeds of annual events, such as the Ronald House Pro-Am Golf Tournament, the Familia Fashion Show and Tackle the Tower.