Host a Fundraiser

Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to get your community involved and help support families.

Individuals, local organizations, community groups, schools, and businesses play an important role in keeping children and families together. Whether you decide to start a peer-to-peer fundraiser, host an in-person fundraising event, or collect goods to donate to our Houses, your support makes a difference.

There are many ways to get your community involved, find the one that works best for you!

Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser

Celebrate your birthday or wedding, run a 5K, or honor the memory of a loved one by creating a peer-to-peer fundraiser to share with your community. It only takes a few minutes to get started.

For questions about starting a peer-to-peer fundraiser, contact:

Allison Moskus, Database Specialist
[email protected] or 630-354-7743

Create a Fundraiser

Host a Wish List Donation Drive

Our Houses are always in need of essential supplies to comfort and support families. You can start a donation drive to collect items from our Wish List by gathering needed items from your friends, classmates, coworkers, and family. Once you have collected the items, contact one of our locations to coordinate your drop-off.

Learn more about the types of items we accept and our top ten most needed items. Please note that we do not accept any used or opened items, including used toys.

Interested in hosting a wish list drive this holiday season? Download our giving tree (PDF 884KB) for item suggestions!

View Our Wish List

Host a Fundraising Event

Community fundraising events can range from bake sales, car washes, and sporting events to parties and store promotions – be creative and organize an activity that is personal to you!

Local businesses can also show support by donating a portion of proceeds from a sale or special event to the Charity, or set out branded collection boxes next to cash registers.

Please review our Third Party Fundraiser Guidelines before submitting an event application.

For questions about hosting your own event, contact:

Jack Gilhooly, Development Manager
[email protected] or 630-354-7739

Submit Your Event Application

Third Party Fundraiser Guidelines

- A Third Party Fundraising Event Application must be completed and submitted by the event host.
- Approval by RMHC-CNI must be obtained before you advertise or hold your event.
- Use of the RMHC-CNI logo, name, and images must be requested and approved. Mention of RMHC-CNI in promotional materials for the event should refer to “Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana.”
- RMHC-CNI must approve all promotional materials, including but not limited to advertising, letters, brochures, flyers, and press releases prior to production or distribution.
- Third party events are not sponsored by RMHC-CNI, and RMHC-CNI has no fiduciary responsibilities and little to no staff involvement. Promotions for the event should reflect RMHC-CNI as a beneficiary rather than the organizer of the event.
- The event organizers are responsible for obtaining any necessary permits and clearances required by local and state government and complying with all applicable laws.
- Event organizers are to obtain their own personal liability insurance to cover the event.
- Event organizers are responsible for maintaining accounting for the event.
- RMHC-CNI is not financially liable for any costs or expenses incurred from the third party event.
- Within 30 days following the event, organizers should submit funds payable to ‘RMHC-CNI’ along with any appropriate documentation from individuals and/or businesses regarding their financial donations.
- Terms for use of RMHC-CNI staff, volunteers, mailing lists or general publicity among our supporters should be agreed upon by RMHC-CNI staff before approval of event/campaign.

Can we help you find something?

Host a Fundraiser

Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser

Host a Wish List Donation Drive

Host a Fundraising Event