Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond CEO Emily Toalson, medical partner and key community leaders and stakeholders announced plans for a new Ronald McDonald House in Jackson Ward today. The project is the focus of a $40 million RMHC Richmond capital campaign aimed at garnering the funds to build the state-of-the-art House.
Campaign and community leaders see the new House as a transformational milestone in RMHC- Richmond’s mission, service to families and Jackson Ward. The charity plans to build the House and its Richmond headquarters in this historic community, significantly enhancing its ability to serve families.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond has been a pillar of the Richmond healthcare community for 45 years, ensuring families with hospitalized children can stay close to their loved ones,” said Toalson. “Today marks a milestone in our mission as we transform our support to a size and scope that triples our ability to offer care to families.”
The new 52,000-square-foot House, to be located on 1.6 acres at 505 W. Leigh St., is just a short walk from the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and a short drive from other pediatric- serving referring hospitals and treatment centers, of which there are 14 in Central Virginia.
Depending on fundraising, the House is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. It will triple service capacity, enabling RMHC-Richmond to serve up to 3,000 families annually—at no cost to families.
The new House will feature 50 private rooms, including four private immuno-compromised suites, wet rooms for patients and caregivers with disabilities, private rooms for counseling and family reflection, lounges, reading rooms, community meeting rooms, teen and children’s play areas, and ample green space. These facilities, along with a fully stocked kitchen, home-cooked meals, laundry services, snacks, books, games and movie access, will provide all the comforts of home to make families feel at ease during a difficult time.
“We are beyond excited to join the Jackson Ward community. Establishing our new House in this historic community is not just about our needs. This project will drive economic growth and strengthen Richmond’s overall healthcare and social service ecosystem,” said Toalson. “Our new Ronald McDonald House is designed with the community in mind, and that’s what made this location appealing to us.”
RMHC’s Monument Avenue House, the cornerstone of its current program, has nine Sleep Rooms. RMHC-Richmond also has two Sleep Rooms at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital and a second Ronald McDonald House at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU with four Sleep Rooms for a total of 15 Sleep Rooms. RMHC also has a presence at HCA Johnston-Willis Hospital and Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center.
“The Monument Avenue House has served families since 1980. However, we are outgrowing its capacity,” Toalson said. “The increasing pediatric patient volumes in Richmond has precipitated an increase in the number of families seeking assistance, and our need for expansion has become urgent.”
According to Toalson, RMHC-Richmond’s mission is a shared community. Donor generosity allows us to expand our reach, making a difference in the lives of more families. Every gift makes an impact, no matter the size. “Our donors are the visionary architects who lay the foundation of hope for families in need. Without private support, this project isn’t viable.”
‘We are grateful to stand with our partners who see the importance of holistic care for both patients and families. When burdens are lifted, patients and families can focus on healing their sick or injured child.”
Celebrating 45 Years
Since 1980, RMHC-Richmond has been a second home for thousands of families each year, providing a comfortable place to stay, home-cooked meals and other amenities that resemble their home environment, and most importantly, a place near their child receiving treatment at one of the 14 referring hospitals and medical facilities. Families across Virginia, the United States and the world stay at Ronald McDonald House in Richmond yearly.
The current facility on Monument Avenue was established in 1980 as the world’s 16th Ronald McDonald House. Today, the House is one more than 380 globally in 64 countries.
