We proudly support other local non-profits who are improving the lives of children and families through the annual RMHC grant program. These funds begin with donations placed in canisters at all Central Oregon McDonald’s franchise locations.

Once per year, the sum total of these donations is doubled by Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc., and returned to Bend’s Ronald McDonald House to be redistributed through a grant process. Since 2004, Ronald McDonald House grants have contributed more than $150,000 to regional nonprofits community serving children and families in need.

UPDATE: Due to scheduling challenges, our 2012 Request for Proposals will be released in late June. Proposals will be due shortly after. Available funding is expected to be 50% or less of 2011 awards due to expenses associated with our donation boxes—an expense incurred by all RMHC grant making programs world-wide. These one-time expenses will not affect the availability of 2013 funds, which are expected to again be $25,000 or more.

More details on exact available funds, maximum awards, and application criteria will be released with the RFP in June.

The 2011 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Oregon grant recipients are:

-Assistance League of Bend, to supoort the Operation School Bell program which provides basic needs to low-income and at-risk children;

- Grandma's House, to continue their work in assisting homeless and/or abused pregnant, parenting and adopting teens;

- The Education Foundation for Bend/LaPine Schools activity fee scholarships, allowing low income students access to extracurricular activities;

- CASA of Central Oregon, in support of the Voice of Hope Project, giving voices to the children in foster care and under protection of the juvenille justice system;

- Saving Grace, for Mary's Place which provides a safe haven for parental visitation;

- Friends with Flowers of Central Oregon, providing service learning projects with 200 students as well as funds for Camp Courage, a program at a local children's bereavement camp;

- Chilren's Vision Foundation, indentifying children with vision problems in our local schools;

- Boys & Girls Club of Central Oregon for technology upgrades at the Redmond Branch;

- La Pine Park & Recreation Foundation, supporting the La Pine Community School Program for middle and high school children;

- Hospice of Redmond & Sisters, for Camp Sunrise, a bereavement camp for children aged 7-14;

- KIDS Center, for rural initiatives to support abused children and their families in Jefferson and Crook counties.

To view the official press release, click here.