RBC Foundation USA Awards Ronald McDonald House New York $1.05 Million Grant

The grant will accelerate Ronald McDonald House New York’s Health Equity Program: Supporting Vulnerable NYC Children & Families.


Published January 17, 2024 | 3 min read

Key Points

  • The RBC Foundation USA, the charitable arm of RBC Capital Markets, has awarded a $1.05 million grant to Ronald McDonald House New York
  • The grant will power the Health Equity Data Center for Children and Families as part of the implementation of RMH-NY’s Health Equity Program: Supporting Vulnerable NYC Children & Families
  • With this support, 35,000 services will be provided to 15,000 medically-complex children and families

RBC Foundation USA awarded Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) a $1.05 million grant to accelerate RMH-NY's Health Equity Program: Supporting Vulnerable NYC Children & Families. With RBC Foundation USA’s support, 35,000 services will be provided to 15,000 medically-complex children and families at RMH-NY’s 95-room House on East 73rd Street, at the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in hospitals, and through Hospital Outreach initiatives with 22 partner hospitals.

This grant, which will primarily be utilized to power the Health Equity Data Center for Children and Families, will enhance RMH-NY activities and is integral to its goal to increase the number of families reached by 30% each year.

In recent years, RMH-NY has taken bold steps to expand upon the mission to provide families with a place to stay, meals, transportation, wellness activities, and enrichment programs while they travel to New York City for treatment. What sets RMH-NY apart is not only its unique blend of residential and non-residential support services but also its pioneering commitment to utilize insights and data to address and diminish health disparities in child health outcomes among the most underprivileged New Yorkers. While already distinctive in its comprehensive support offerings, this grant empowers RMH-NY to further differentiate themselves from other organizations serving similar populations by accelerating its project to promote health equity.

The Ronald McDonald House New York creates a support network for families of children with cancer and gives them access to resources to better support their child in the fight of their lives. Watch now

“We are so grateful to our long-time partner, the RBC Foundation USA, for awarding Ronald McDonald House New York with this generous grant,” said Dr. Ruth C. Browne, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House New York. “These funds will enable us to centralize our data systems, significantly extend our reach, and consistently improve our programs, which support thousands of children and families in the fight against pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses. We thank RBC Capital Markets for their unwavering dedication to our mission over the past 30 years. This includes our appreciation for over 200 volunteers from RBC giving their time in 2022 by serving dinner, participating on our Board of Directors and Board of Associates, joining Event Committees, running the NYC Marathon to benefit us, preparing welcome kits for families, and more. So much of what we do to positively impact medically-complex families would not be possible without RBC’s strong partnership. Like RBC, RMH-NY is Powered by Purpose and because of their support, the Health Equity Data Center for Children and Families will transform our impact on medically-complex families for years to come.”

Through funding provided by the RBC Foundation USA over a three-year period, the Health Equity Data Center for Children and Families will enable RMH-NY to achieve significant milestones, including:

  • The implementation of Electronic Health Records Systems Technology, a Data Warehouse, and online survey tools which will allow RMH-NY to better collect and analyze data in order to improve services.
  • The provision of over 35,000 services to more than 15,000 children and families who are battling pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses in 2024; and
  • The expansion of the organization’s reach by 30% each year.

Of the 15,000 individuals, in its first year the center is projected to enhance the mental well-being of 5,000 10-24-year-olds from marginalized communities who have access to RMH-NY’s programs through its Hospital Outreach programming, Family Rooms, and in-House services.

“The RBC Foundation USA and RBC Capital Markets is pleased to be making such a meaningful investment in Ronald McDonald House New York, whose mission to advance health equity is more important now than ever before,” said Bobby Grubert, Global Head of Digital Solutions & Client Insights (DSCi3) for RBC Capital Markets. “With deep roots in the New York City community, Ronald McDonald House New York is committed to eliminating hardships for all families and ensuring they can remain focused on beating their child’s illness. For RBC, this support is well-aligned with our company’s Purpose: to help our clients thrive and communities prosper. We are proud to help Ronald McDonald House New York strengthen its supportive programs through this milestone grant.”

RMH-NY supports families from New York City, across the U.S. and around the world in the fight against pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses through its House on East 73rd Street in Manhattan as well as in partnering New York City hospitals.

To learn more about the partnership between Ronald McDonald House New York, the RBC Foundation USA, and RBC Capital Markets, click here.

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