Who We Are
Families Served: Since opening in 1985, the House has welcomed about 600 families each year. Their length of stay may range from a day or two to many months. These families generally live at least an hour from Ann Arbor, and many have come from out of state and from other nations. The capacity of the House is 29 families, and each is afforded a comfortable sleeping room and access to the kitchen and pantry where they may prepare meals. Each family completes a daily maintenance chore to assist with the upkeep of the House.
Volunteers: Nearly 150 volunteers are involved with the House. Many serve on shifts which staff the House in three-hour increments, 12 hours per day, 365 days per year. Others are members of committees which manage such aspects of the House as its daily operations, fundraising, public relations, and maintenance. As a result, the House is able to operate with a staff of four.
Finances: The building, valued at more than $2.2 million and including more than 23,000 square feet, is fully paid for. Twenty percent of the revenue for the operating budget is provided by room fees ($10.00 per night per family) paid by families and by third parties. The remaining 80 percent of revenue comes through donations and special events which the House sponsors.
Status: The Ronald McDonald House is incorporated in Michigan as a non-profit organization. Donations to the House are tax deductible as allowed by law. While licensed by the McDonald's Corporation, the Ronald McDonald House is independently governed by its local Board of Directors. McDonald's provided generous capital support when the House was built and at the time of its expansion, and is the source of about five percent of annual operating funds through Ronald McDonald House Charities and from area McDonald's owner-operators.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Huron Valley
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Huron Valley is the legal name under which the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor operates. Customers in McDonald’s Restaurants in Washtenaw, Livingston, and Monroe Counties support the Charity through canister donations and promotions such as the Annual World Children’s Day each November.