THE 2008 GRANT DEADLINE HAS PASSED. 
PLEASE CHECK BACK AFTER JANUARY 1, 2009 FOR INFORMATION ON THE 2009 GRANT CYCLE.

2008 Grant Application Guidelines

HISTORY
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Wichita, Inc. (RMHC Wichita) operates the two Wichita Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Room but also provides grants to non-profit organizations that serve children in the greater Wichita area and other Kansas counties.

Funds raised through special events and promotions in McDonald's restaurants are used for these grants. Donations designated for operations of the Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Room are not used for grant making.

MISSION
RMHC Wichita provides housing and other assistance for families of children who are receiving medical care in Wichita, Kansas and makes grants to non-profit community programs that directly benefit children and their families.

Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations that serve children in the areas of education and the arts, civic and social services, and health care and medical research. Grant funding typically ranges from $500 to $7500.

RMHC Wichita primarily funds programs that improve the quality of life for children.  We are interested in programs that:

• Directly serve children and improve the quality of life for children
• Offer clear goals and objectives
• Display consistent and effective management and a broad base of funding support
• Reach out to multiple communities in an attempt to serve as many children as possible
• Promote collaborative efforts among non-profit organizations
• Fund tangible items that can be used from year to year  (e.g. equipment)
• Provide hands-on learning and participatory experiences

RESTRICTIONS
RMHC Wichita will generally NOT provide support for the following types of organizations or activities:

• Advertising or fundraising drives
• Partisan, political or denominational programs
• General and administrative costs
• Intermediary funding agencies
• Endowment campaigns
• Ongoing salaries or travel expenses
• Multi-year funding or annual applications for the same project

Your organization is NOT eligible to apply if it:

• received funding in the previous year
• has been operating for less than one year
• is located in certain northern or eastern counties.  View the map or contact us if you are uncertain as to your eligibility

1. Grant applications must be received on or before March 1st of each year. Submitting an application on or near the deadline is not advised.  If the application is incomplete or otherwise unsatisfactory, it may be held until the next year.  Applicants will be notified of the RMHC Wichita Grant Committee’s approval or denial in mid to late April.  Please do not contact RMHC Wichita by telephone for results.
2. Complete all the questions on the grant application form in a clear and concise manner with the fewest words possible.  Provide a clear description of your project.
3. Attach all supporting documentation as requested.
4. A RMHC Wichita representative may conduct a site visit.
5. The Grants Committee will review all complete applications and determine funding.  (Awarded grants are a combination of fund raising efforts through area McDonald’s and matching funds from Ronald McDonald House Charities Global.
6. When notified of funding, recipient agencies must sign and return a letter of agreement.
7. A check presentation event is tentatively scheduled for late August.  An invitation will be mailed to your agency for yourself and guests.

1. Your organization’s current 501(c)(3) tax exempt letter from the Internal Revenue Service.  Be sure it reflects your current agency/organization’s name.
2. Your agency's most recent audited financial statement.  If you are not required to have an audit, please explain why and provide your most recent financial statement.
3. Your agency's most recent year-end financial statement
4. A financial statement for the month preceding the date of application
5. Your current year’s operating budget
6. A copy of your agency's last Form 990 with all attachments as filed with the Internal Revenue Service