About Us


Mississippi’s only Ronald McDonald House began from a pediatrician seeing the need to have families close to their critically ill children.  After hearing about the first Ronald McDonald House opening in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1974, and witnessing first-hand the relationship between children’s hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses in other states, a pediatric cardiologist and pediatric oncologist organized the founding team.

Jackson, Mississippi serves as a regional medical hub and has the only children’s hospital in Mississippi where critically ill children from across the state are brought each year for hospitalization and treatment.  After countless committee meetings, fund drives, contributions, promotions, and four years of hard work, the Mississippi Ronald McDonald House opened its doors May 1, 1989.  We are proud to be part of a worldwide program keeping families close to their hospitalized children.

In order to further enhance our mission, in 2000 the Board of Directors approved a new program — Community Grants.  Each year the Board determines availability of funds to be awarded to Mississippi non-profit organizations focused on enhancing the health of children.  We have partnered with over 20 agencies and benefitted over 200,000 children and families since the program’s inception.