How to Apply

Ronald McDonald House Charities provides grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose global programs help improve the health and well being of children under 18. RMHC of SE Michigan will be reviewing Grant requests in the first and third quarter of each year.

Responsibility of Grant Recipients

The recipient of any grant from Ronald McDonald House Charities must use funding provided for the specific purpose of the original stated intent. RMHC requires detailed accounting of all funds awarded as part of the follow-up report that is required to be submitted one year after receipt of the grant. It is understood that any funds not used in the manner specified in the letter of agreement must be returned to RMHC. A revision in use of funds must be requested in writing to RMHC and requires prior written approval. Supporting materials sent as part of your grant application cannot be returned. Please do not submit any materials of which you do not have a copy.

Step One: Determine Eligibility

To be considered for funding, an applicant must be designated a not-for-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization. U.S. charities must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status letter on file with the Internal Revenue Service.
The RMHC of SE Michigan Grant Committee is most interested in national or international organizations that have a specific program related to children’s health and well being.

Organizations seeking funding should have a specific program that:

• Directly improves the health and well being of children
• Addresses a significant funding gap or critical opportunity
• Has long-term impact in terms of replication or reach
• Produces measurable results
• Is sustainable without relying on RMHC funding

Organizations seeking funding should have:

• A broad base of funding support
• Management and staff capacity to effectively execute the project
• A longer-term organizational strategic plan (evidence to ensure program and organization sustainability)
• A clear, concise plan for project evaluation with outcome measurement that shows potential for meaningful change

Ronald McDonald House Charities does not award grants:

• To projects/programs that are local in scope (i.e. those that focus on one particular community/state or those that are not replicable). Applicants, however, may contact their local RMHC Chapter for information about grants for local programs.
• To support ongoing general, operating or administrative expenses (including salaries, travel and overhead). Though special consideration is given to those programs where these expenses are vital to the final outcome.
• For projects/programs that do not benefit children under 18
• To reduce debt
• For annual fund appeals
• For medical research
• For for-profit organizations
• For fundraising sponsorships
• For programs/projects administered by activist groups
• For projects that have already been completed
• For sectarian or religious purposes
• For scholarships and fellowships to individuals
• To propagandize or influence elections or legislation
• For advertising or fundraising drives
• To intermediary funding agencies
• For endowment campaigns
• For individuals

Step Two: Fill Out Online Application and Submit a Letter of Inquiry

The letter should help RMHC understand the relationship between your proposed program/project and our mission. It should give a synopsis of the project, organization and requested funding amount. RMHC reviews all letters of inquiry from eligible organizations. The review committee will invite organizations that extend the RMHC mission to submit a formal grant proposal.

Letter Guidelines

The RMHC Board of Trustees will not review incomplete submissions and cannot return or forward grant request materials. If any of the items below are not attached, the submission will be deemed incomplete and immediately declined.

Letter Preparation

Your letter of inquiry must be submitted in English, be no more than three double-sided pages in length and should include the following:

1. Specifications: Type on organization letterhead, signed by a management official and the project leader/principal investigator.
2. Organization history: Describe your organization, its leadership and past program accomplishments.
3. Project information/methodology: Describe the problem or need this project will address and your methodology to solve it. Include the program/project’s duration (the start and completion dates and how the project fits within and advances your organization’s long-term strategic plan.
4. Target population: Summarize your target population in measurable terms, including the audience, how many will be served, age of participants and the number and percentage who fall into specific ethnic groups (i.e., African American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, Caucasian, etc.).
5. Project objectives: Describe the benefits to be gained from the project’s success.
6. Outcome measurement: Describe project outcome measurement and evaluation.
7. Future funding: Describe your plans for funding this project in the future. If other funding sources are in place, please include this information.

Attachments must include:

• Determination letter confirming organization’s charitable/tax-exempt status for organizations outside the United States
• IRS 501(c)(3) letter (U.S. organizations only)
• Itemized project budget (including total amount requested) with indirect costs not greater than 12 percent.

Letter Submission

Please send all letters of inquiry to:

Ronald McDonald House Charities of SE Michigan
Attn: Grants Department
3911 Beaubien Street
Detroit, MI 48201

RMHC Board Review

The RMHC of SE Michigan reviews all letters of inquiry from eligible organizations. After reviewing letters of inquiry, the RMHC staff and management grant review committee will invite organizations whose objectives most closely match the mission of RMHC to submit a formal grant proposal. You will be notified of the grant review committee’s decision within 30 days of their meeting.

Step Three: Submit a Formal Grant Proposal

Following the letter of inquiry, RMHC of SE Grant Committee may invite you to submit a formal grant proposal. The grant applications require several attachments and a specific format. Please follow the guideline closely.

Format

• All submissions must be in English using standard black ink.
• You may type directly on the application form provided or follow the format exactly (single-spaced and single-sided pages only).

Attachments

• Current year’s operating budget
• IRS Form 990 (U.S. only)
• Most recent audited financial statements
• Current Board of Directors list
• Donor information showing all private, corporate and foundation support more than $500

Do not attach any items that cannot be photocopied unless they have been specifically requested by RMHC.

Copies

Two complete copies of the entire application, including attachments and supporting materials must be sent.

Submission

Please send all formal grant proposals to:
Ronald McDonald House Charities of SE Michigan
Attn: Grants Department
3911 Beaubien Street
Detroit, MI 48201

Step Four: Formal RMHC Board Review Process

Acknowledgment of Receipt

RMHC will acknowledge receipt of your completed formal grant application. Any correspondence, questions or additional information will be conducted through an RMHC staff member throughout the grant review process.

Committee Review

The Grant Committee must receive the application for review 90 days prior to the Grant Committee meeting.

Committee Decision

All Board decisions are reported by mail, within three weeks following the Grant Committee meeting.

Board Approval

If your proposal is approved, you will receive a letter of agreement outlining the terms and conditions of the grant.
This agreement must be signed by an authorized management official of the organization and returned to RMHC.
This letter will also address arrangements for the awarding of the grant funds.