Ronald Mcdonald House Of Dallas
About Ronald Mcdonald House Of Dallas
When a child is in treatment, the practical stuff gets heavy fast, meals, a place to sleep, a quiet spot near the hospital, even a snack between appointments. Ronald McDonald House of Dallas steps in with home-like lodging, three meals a day, a Family Room at Scottish Rite for Children in Frisco, and hospitality carts and bags so families can stay near care and focus on healing. In 2025, it served 4,120 families through its programs, including 27,205 overnight stays and 71,566 meals.
What sets Ronald McDonald House of Dallas apart is how many kinds of support it keeps under one local roof, and then carries into hospitals too. Families can sleep, eat, rest, and get small everyday essentials without having to piece it all together themselves.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Ronald McDonald House
Provides a home away from home for families with seriously ill or injured children receiving pediatric treatment in Dallas-area hospitals, including private rooms, meals, laundry, and family support.
Ronald McDonald Family Room
Offers a quiet, home-like place inside Scottish Rite for Children, Frisco, with places to rest, snacks, computers, and a play area for families staying close to their child’s bedside.
Hospitality Cart Program
Brings snacks, refreshments, and activity kits to families in pediatric units at area hospitals.
Hospitality Bag Program
Provides bright, cheerful bags with snacks, toiletries, and other essentials for parents with babies in the NICU.
Meals That Heal
Provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner for families at the House, 365 days a year.
Family Activities
Hosts weekly, monthly, and annual activities for families staying at the House, including haircuts, summer camp, holiday parties, movie nights, and group activities.
Wilma Potter Scholarship Fund
Provides scholarship support to eligible students attending an accredited university, college, or trade school.
House van transportation
Provides transportation support upon request for close hospital transportation needs, based on staffing availability.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
Who they serve
Families of seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment at Dallas-area hospitals, especially families living more than 40 miles outside Dallas city limits.
Their impact
- 4,120 families served through RMHD programs in 2025
- 1,298 new families served at the House in 2025
- 27,205 overnight stays in 2025
- 1,081 visits to the Family Room at Scottish Rite Frisco in 2025
- 1,741 families served through the Hospitality Cart and Bag program at 4 partner hospitals in 2025
- 71,566 meals served to families in 2025
- 1,527 volunteers supported the mission in 2025
- 36,328 volunteer hours served in 2025
- Average stay of 13 days in 2025
- Average two-week stay savings of over $5,000 per family in 2024
How your donation helps
- Year-round lodging and family support at the House
- Three daily meals for guest families
- Hospitality Cart and Hospitality Bag supplies at area hospitals
- Family Room operations at Scottish Rite for Children – Frisco
- Volunteer-supported family activities and programming
- Scholarship support through the Wilma Potter Scholarship Fund
Our story
Ronald McDonald House of Dallas has served families traveling to Dallas for a child’s medical treatment since 1981. It was founded by Jo Ann M. Cornet, M.D., and later expanded to include the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Hospitality Programs, family activities, and the Wilma Potter Scholarship Fund, established in 1999 in honor of Wilma Potter.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Ronald Mcdonald House Of Dallas’s services.
Families of seriously ill or injured children receiving treatment at Dallas-area hospitals may stay at the House. Priority is given to families who live more than 40 miles outside Dallas city limits, and referrals must be made by a social worker, a member of the medical team, or a Medicaid caseworker by phone. RMHD staff then contacts the family to confirm the room request.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Helping families feel at home, even when they can't be.
We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
The House feels like home.
This place was home. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner here.
Events
Trains at NorthPark
annualA holiday exhibit and fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
Addison Rotary Open
annualA golf tournament benefiting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.
North Texas Giving Day
annualA giving-day event that supports RMHD families and programs.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Ronald Mcdonald House Of Dallas has shared.
Current needs
- New, unopened everyday items for the House, Family Room, and Hospitality Programs
- Financial support for year-round meals, lodging, and family support programs
Volunteer opportunities
- Front Desk Volunteers
- Family Room Volunteers
- Hospitality Cart Volunteers
- Prepare a meal for families through Meals That Heal
- Create and host an activity for children staying at the House
- Participate in a service project
- Work at The Trains at NorthPark
- Host a third-party fundraiser
- Join the Teen Team
Recognition & press
In the media
- People Newspapers, coverage of Trains at NorthPark opening through Jan. 5
- NBC DFW, coverage of the return of Trains at NorthPark
- The Dallas Morning News, video coverage of The Trains at NorthPark
- Advocate Magazine, coverage of North Pole coming to NorthPark Center
- People Newspapers, coverage of Trains at NorthPark ahead of the exhibit opening
Partners & funders
Similar nonprofits
Other fund raising & fund distribution nonprofits in TX.