Frequently Asked Questions

Does McDonald's fund the Ronald McDonald House®?

While McDonald's is our largest corporate donor, the majority of funds raised by RMHC® of Greater Las Vegas come from local fundraising events and private donations.

McDonald's support of RMHC® of Greater Las Vegas takes on many forms:

  • Collectively McDonald's utilize their restaurants, advertising dollars, packaging and crew to create customer awareness and support for the charity.
  • McDonald's Owner/Operators of Greater Las Vegas are regular sponsors of RMHC® annual fundraising events.
  • Members of the McDonald's family serve as volunteers and as members of the RMHC® Board of Directors and its committees, working along other members of their community.
  • McDonald's financial support of RMHC® of Greater Las Vegas is generated by the following in-restaurant fundraisers held throughout the year:
    • The McDonald's Penny per Happy Meal program, an ongoing fundraiser in which 4 pennies from every Happy Meal sold locally at participating McDonald's restaurants is donated to RMHC®, raises about $34,000 locally each quarter, totaling $136,000 in 2020.
    • RMHC® Donation Boxes placed on the counters and in the drive-thru at participating McDonald's restaurants continue to be one of our largest ongoing fundraisers, with $82,000 raised in 2020.
    • Proceeds from the Las Vegas Review Journal Newspapers that are sold at participating McDonald's restaurants support the RMHC® Scholarship Program in Las Vegas, with more than $38,000 raised locally in 2020.
    • Every time you visit a McDonald’s restaurant, you can help support families by choosing to Round-Up for RMHC when you place your order at the kiosk or with a crew member. In 2020, more than $35,000 was donated through Round-Up.
    • McDonald’s offers customers the opportunity to make a fixed donation of $1, $3, or $5 when ordering on the mobile app.

Does the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Las Vegas only serve families with children who have cancer?

No. While there are some Houses that only serve families with cancer, the Las Vegas House serves any family who has a child receiving medical treatment. Most of our families are here for trauma due to a motor vehicle accident, premature birth, or children’s heart procedures.

Why do you collect Pop-Tabs?

The Pop Tab program raises funds that go directly to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House®. These funds help pay for things like gas money for a family to get back home, clothes for families who come with nothing, and for other basic necessities such as prescriptions and baby supplies.

What percentage of my donation stays in Las Vegas? Does Ronald McDonald House Charities® have to submit a portion of my donation to a National or Global organization?

100% of the funds raised by RMHC® of Greater Las Vegas stay right here in the community. While we are part of a Global organization, RMHC® Chapters operate on a local level. RMHC® of Greater Las Vegas is responsible for developing its own organization management, community programs and fundraising activities to meet the unique needs of the community we serve. Everything we raise through local fundraising efforts supports our Chapter and programs.