Coastal Community Foundation (CCF) is providing a $2 million impact investment to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston to support their House expansion project.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston (RMHC) gives lodging to families whose children are receiving lifesaving medical treatment. Over the last eight years, RMHC Charleston has served more than 5,250 families, but had to turn away 457 families in 2024 due to lack of space. The 42,500 square foot House expansion will double the number of bedrooms and eliminate the lengthy waiting list, providing a safe, free, and comfortable place for families while they support their hospitalized child.
The $2 million loan from Coastal Community Foundation is given at a significantly reduced interest rate, saving RMHC Charleston more than $150,000 in interest over five years. The loan is through CCF’s Place-Based Impact Investment (PBII) program, which strategically provides capital for projects that achieve both a measurable financial return and a positive social impact. This includes initiatives that create jobs in economically impacted areas, strengthen the nine coastal counties in CCF’s service area, or improve the social, health, and/or environmental conditions of the area.
“The PBII program allows us to make large-scale investments in projects bettering our region,” said CCF President and CEO Darrin Goss, Sr. “The expansion of Ronald McDonald House here in Charleston will be transformational, greatly increasing the capacity for families with children receiving treatment at MUSC. More than 43% of Ronald McDonald House families come from our nine-county footprint, and we are proud to be a partner in improving their well-being during an incredibly challenging time.”
“We so appreciate CCF’s investment and lending support to bring our House expansion to fruition. This is a great example of when community comes together, it can do great things,” said Kathy “kp” Papadimitriou, CEO of RMHC Charleston.
The RMHC Charleston expansion will break ground on June 26, 2025 and is expected to be complete in early 2027.