What organization did McDonald’s establish in 1984 to support families of seriously ill children?

McDonald’s established Ronald McDonald House Charities in 1984 to support families of seriously ill children.

The charity grew from the Ronald McDonald House program, which provides accommodation near hospitals so families can stay close to children receiving medical treatment. Ronald McDonald House Charities later expanded its work to include family rooms, care mobiles, grants, and other programs connected with children’s health and family support.

The organization’s name uses Ronald McDonald, the company’s long-standing advertising mascot, but it operates as a charitable organization rather than as a restaurant menu brand. It is sometimes confused with individual Ronald McDonald Houses, which are local facilities within the broader international network.

The charity became an important part of McDonald’s public identity and corporate philanthropy. Its 1984 establishment marks the formal creation of the organization known by the initials RMHC.