Ronald McDonald House of Rochester receives $3.3 million grant from AbbVie donation
CHICAGO, ILL.—Ronald McDonald House Charities announced a $100 million donation from AbbVie at its international conference in Chicago on Monday, resulting in a $3.3 million grant for the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, Minnesota and its Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign.
It is the largest gift received by Ronald McDonald House Charities, the largest gift given by AbbVie, and the largest grant received by the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester.
“It’s an incredible gift,” Executive Director Peggy Elliott said. “The House has been blessed in the expansion process and today is no exception. AbbVie has made a lasting and meaningful impact on children and families. It still brings tears to my eyes.”
AbbVie–a research-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Lake Bluff, Ill.–made the donation with the intent to accelerate the building process for Houses in the midst of capital campaigns. AbbVie wants to ensure all children have access to healthcare and that families are able to stay together during that time.
Thirty-two Houses received a grant, which will result in 600 new guest rooms (13-percent increase in nationwide capacity), 230,000-plus family nights annually, and more than $35 million saved for families with children seeking medical care every year. Specifically, the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester will increase from 42 to 70 guest rooms, increasing the amount of families it serves annually from 800 to 1,500.
The grant from AbbVie reduces the remaining funds to be raised for the Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign to less than $1 million.
“This gift is significant, not only for our House, but for many Houses across the country,” said Elliott. “It speaks volumes to the work being done by Ronald McDonald House Charities and its staff to build and foster this relationship with AbbVie. It’s certainly a day to celebrate.”
The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester was considered for the grant due to its diligence and thoughtful volunteer leadership and progress made in the capital campaign—every gift and every dollar counted. The capital campaign has received more than 1,000 gifts to date, led by six of $1 million or more.
“When we say each gift, each dollar is important and significant, it’s true,” Elliott said. “Our House was selected to receive a grant because of the tremendous support already received from the community on the project. We can’t begin to thank everyone who has supported our project thus far and who paved the way for this grant to happen.”
The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester broke ground on its 30-room expansion on May 1. It will also include a small indoor gym, indoor and outdoor play areas, underground parking and green space, all of which will use modern construction to create welcoming and comfortable areas for children and families. Upon completion, it will be the largest Ronald McDonald House in the state of Minnesota.
“Our community has a heart of gold,” said Elliott. “One of our core values is hospitality with heart; a warm, welcoming environment where children feel safe, comfortable and loved and their families gain strength and hope. AbbVie has given many children and families hope.”
Founded in 1980 as Northland Children’s Services, the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, Minnesota is one of 182 Houses across the United States, providing a home-away-from-home and offering support to families seeking medical care for their children. For more information about the expansion and the Love Tremendously Hope Exceedingly capital campaign, visit https://expansion.rmhmn.org.
