Who we are
Ronald McDonald Haus Österreich is part of the international organisation Ronald McDonald House based in Chicago (USA). For more than 50 years, we have worked together around the world for the well-being of families with ill or injured children.
The story of Ronald McDonald House began in 1974 with a young girl named Kim. The three-year-old daughter of Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill was diagnosed with leukaemia and received hospital treatment for several months. Her family stayed with her throughout this time – without suitable accommodation and under extremely difficult conditions. Her doctor, Dr Audrey Evans, knew that when a child is ill, the whole family is affected.
This realisation and experience gave rise to the vision of a home away from home for families in this situation. Together with Dr Audrey Evans, Kim’s family developed the idea of a place near the hospital where families could stay together. With support from the Philadelphia Eagles and McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, who had a partnership with the Philadelphia Eagles, this idea became a reality.
On 15 October 1974, the world’s first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia (USA). At the same time, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc’s conviction became part of McDonald's corporate philosophy and continues to shape the global partnership between McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House today: “Give something back to the community that has given you so much.”
The foundation had been laid for a global initiative supporting families with ill or injured children. Over the past 50 years, Ronald McDonald House has expanded worldwide and developed innovative support programmes. Today, there are more than 1,000 programmes in 62 countries for families with ill or injured children. Our global impact demonstrates the strength of our community. The organisation continues to grow and develop together. Our shared mission is to create a world where every family has the support they need to ensure the best possible healthcare for their children.
In Austria, the association was founded in 1987 under the name Ronald McDonald Kinderhilfe as an independent non-profit organisation. That same year, the House in Kinderspitalgasse in Vienna became the first Ronald McDonald House to open in Austria.
In response to the steadily growing need and increasing demand in other federal states, our services have been continuously expanded. In addition to a second House in Vienna, further Ronald McDonald Houses were established in Graz, Salzburg and Wiener Neustadt.
Today, we operate several Ronald McDonald Houses in cities across Austria. Because our Ronald McDonald Houses are located close to specialist children’s hospitals, families can stay together even when their home is far from the hospital.
Our dedicated team of around 40 staff members and 70 volunteers supports families with compassion and experience and is a reliable partner for all their needs. At Ronald McDonald Haus Österreich, we believe that no family should have to choose between staying close to their child in hospital and having a real home away from home where they can rest and recharge. That is why we create an environment tailored to the needs of these families.
After almost 40 years with the same visual identity, our non-profit organisation’s brand identity was modernised as part of a global rebranding process with a clear focus on the future: Since 15 May 2026, Ronald McDonald Kinderhilfe has operated under the brand name Ronald McDonald Haus Österreich. This change is a deliberate evolution of our brand and immediately conveys what we stand for: the heart in the house logo shows that the families in our Houses are at the centre of our work. Our Ronald McDonald Houses are much more than accommodation – the slogan “Wo Familien zusammenbleiben” expresses this perfectly.
