Grants Program- 2025 Guidelines

Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida extends its impact by awarding grants to local 501(c)(3) organizations and programs dedicated to improving the lives of children in our community. Since 1988, we have awarded over $4.9 million to South Florida-based organizations that directly benefit children and families. Each year, our grants committee meticulously reviews applications from nonprofit organizations that demonstrate a proven ability to meet the critical needs of children and families in a tangible, hands-on waydelivering measurable, positive outcomes.

RMHC provides funds in the areas of:

• Social and Civic Concerns

• Education and the Arts

• Health and Fitness Education

• Healthcare and Medical research

Grant Program Details / Qualifications

To be considered for funding, a childrens organization must be designated as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) and tax-exempt as defined under IRS codes.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES (RMHC) Board of Trustees is most interested in organizations that have:

• A program that directly benefits children (ages 0-18 years)
• Consistent and effective management
• Clear goals and objectives
• A broad base of funding support
• A demonstrated ability to respond to the needs of specific groups of children in a manner that yields measurable results
• A specific program they are seeking to fund

RMHC does not fund:

• Advertising or fundraising drives
• Partisan, political or denominational programs
• Ongoing general and administrative costs
• Intermediary funding agencies
• Endowment campaigns
• Ongoing salaries or travel expenses

Grant amounts: range from $5,000 to $10,000.

Grant Funding

Financial support through our grant program is exclusively funded by donations collected in the donation boxes at McDonald’s restaurants throughout South Florida. For 2025, a total of $50,000 will be available for grant requests. Organizations may be awarded a grant once every two years.

2024 Grant Recipients.

David Posnack Jewish Community Center- Broward County
Sunrise on Wheels Program Amount $10,000

Hispanic Unity of Florida- Broward County
Unity 4Kids Program Amount: $5,000

ICU Baby’s NICU- Miami-Dade County
Parent Mentor Program Amount: $10,000

Marian Center- Miami-Dade County
Children with Disabilities Amount: $10,000

Spirit of Giving Network- Palm Beach County
Resource Children Program Amount: $10,000

Sweet Dream Maker- Palm Beach County
A Bed of My Own Program Amount: $5,000

STEP ONE: Letter of intent

A letter of intent is the first step to applying for funds from Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida.

To be considered, the letter must not exceed more than two pages and include:

  • organization cover sheet
  • organization information
  • purpose of the project
  • project description
  • project evaluation
  • budget

If your letter of intent was approved, you will receive an email invitation to submit a full application.

Deadline to submit a letter of intent: Friday, May 23, 2025

STEP TWO: Full Grant Proposal and Application

This only applies to those who receive full grant application invitations via email.

The following information must accompany your completed Grant Application form:

  • A one or two-page cover letter on your organization s letterhead, signed by a senior management official, briefly outlining your proposal.
  • A letter of endorsement from a McDonald s representative on company letterhead, who is familiar with your organization and the project you are submitting your funding request.
  • A copy of the Internal Revenue Service ruling of the organization as tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3).
  • A detailed budget specifically outlining the total amount of funds you are requesting from RMHC of South Florida.
  • A broad base of other sources of funding and support.
  • A review by an independent CPA if annual income is between $250,000 and an audited financial report if income is over $500,000.
  • A 990 or 990EZ that has been submitted to the IRS in the past 12 months.
  • The complete application needs to be emailed to grants@rmhcsouthflorida.org

Incomplete or late applications will be declined and returned.

Deadline to submit full application: Friday, August 22, 2025

Grantees will be notified of the decision in September 2025.

FINAL STEPS AFTER FUNDING

FINAL STEPS AFTER FUNDING

If your proposal is approved, grantees will be required to use the forms for submitting their final report within six months of receipt of the award. This allows Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida to ensure our grants are used to their full potential.

Submit completed reporting forms via email to:
grants@rmhcsouthflorida.org

For questions, please call  (786) 476-2212

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