Charities of Norfolk The Definitive Guide to Charities in Virginia, Charitable Donations & Why Giving Changes Lives Every year, thousands of families in Virginia face one of the most frightening challenges a parent can imagine — a child's serious illness requiring treatment far from home. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk (RMHC Norfolk) stands beside these families, providing comfort, support, and a place to call home during their most difficult hours. This guide answers the questions most people ask before making a charitable donation: Which charities in Virginia deserve my support? How do charitable donations actually help? And — simply — why donate to charity at all? Read on to discover how your generosity keeps families together. 30+ $75/night 365 Years serving Virginia families Average hotel cost we eliminate for families Days a year our doors are open rmhcnorfolk.org | Norfolk, Virginia Page 1 | rmhcnorfolk.org
Virginia is home to a rich ecosystem of nonprofit organizations — from food banks and homeless shelters to children's hospitals and family support services. When families search for charities in Virginia, they want confidence that their donation reaches people who truly need it. RMHC Norfolk has earned that trust for more than three decades. What Makes a Virginia Charity Stand Out? • Mission clarity: A focused purpose — like keeping families together during a child's medical crisis — ensures every donated dollar is used intentionally. • Financial transparency: Leading charities in Virginia publish annual reports and maintain high ratings on Charity Navigator and GuideStar. • Community roots: Local charities understand local needs. RMHC Norfolk is embedded in the Hampton Roads community, partnering with Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) and regional businesses. • Measurable impact: Look for organizations that quantify outcomes — families housed, nights provided, meals served. • Volunteer culture: Thriving charities in Virginia engage volunteers as well as donors, multiplying the impact of every contribution. RMHC Norfolk's Place in Virginia's Charitable Landscape Among the many charities in Virginia focused on children and families, RMHC Norfolk occupies a unique niche. We provide free or low-cost lodging to families whose children are receiving treatment at CHKD and other Norfolk-area medical centers. No other organization in the region replicates this model at our scale. When a child's diagnosis forces a family to travel hours from home, RMHC Norfolk ensures they never have to choose between being by their child's bedside and paying rent. "Families should never have to worry about where they will sleep while their child fights for their life. That's the promise RMHC Norfolk keeps — every single night." Page 2 | rmhcnorfolk.org
It is a question worth asking honestly: why donate to charity when there are so many demands on our time and money? Research in behavioral economics, psychology, and public health converges on a compelling answer — giving is good for the giver, for the recipient, and for society as a whole. 1. Giving Transforms Real Lives When you donate to a charity like RMHC Norfolk, the impact is immediate and tangible. A $30 donation covers one family's overnight stay. A $150 donation covers an entire week. Families report that having a safe, warm place nearby allows them to be present for every procedure, every consultation, and every moment their child needs them most. 2. Charitable Giving Strengthens Communities Charities do not operate in isolation. When RMHC Norfolk houses a family from rural Virginia, that family eats at local restaurants, shops at local stores, and connects with local volunteers. Philanthropic activity circulates through the economy, funding jobs, building social capital, and creating networks of mutual support. 3. Donating Is Personally Rewarding Decades of psychological research confirm what donors intuitively know: giving makes us happier. Studies show that charitable giving activates the same reward centers in the brain as receiving a gift. People who give regularly report higher levels of life satisfaction, stronger social connections, and measurable health benefits. 4. Tax Benefits of Charitable Donations Donations to registered 501(c)(3) organizations like RMHC Norfolk are tax-deductible under U.S. federal law. For itemizing taxpayers, this means a portion of every gift is effectively subsidized by the government. Consult a tax professional for guidance tailored to your situation. 5. Your Legacy of Generosity Planned giving — bequests, charitable remainder trusts, life insurance designations — allows donors to create a legacy that outlasts them. Many RMHC Norfolk supporters choose planned giving as a way to ensure that future generations of Virginia families receive the same comfort they would have wanted for their own loved ones. Page 3 | rmhcnorfolk.org
Norfolk Understanding how charitable donations are used is the first step toward confident giving. RMHC Norfolk is committed to radical transparency: we publish full financial statements, undergo independent audits, and can account for every dollar entrusted to us. Where Donations Go Use of Funds Percentage What It Means for Families Family programs & direct services ~72% Lodging, meals, transportation assistance for patient families Facility operations & maintenance ~18% Keeping our House safe, clean, and welcoming 365 days/yr Fundraising & community engagement ~6% Events and outreach that fuel future giving Administration ~4% Governance, HR, and financial oversight Figures are approximate based on recent fiscal year audited financials. Ways to Make a Charitable Donation • One-Time Online Gift: Visit rmhcnorfolk.org/donate-now/ to make a secure credit card or ACH donation in minutes. • Monthly Giving: Recurring donations provide RMHC Norfolk with predictable funding. Monthly donors also reduce administrative costs. • Tribute & Memorial Gifts: Honor a loved one with a donation in their name. RMHC Norfolk will send an acknowledgment to the family you designate. • Corporate & Group Donations: Businesses and civic groups can sponsor events or organize workplace giving campaigns. Details at rmhcnorfolk.org/ways-to-give/ • In-Kind Donations: Toiletries, household goods, and non-perishable food directly stock our House. Check our current needs list before dropping off. Page 4 | rmhcnorfolk.org
Statistics tell part of the story. These composite narratives — drawn from the types of situations RMHC Norfolk families face every day — show what charitable donations look like in real human terms. A Family from Rural Virginia When 4-year-old Marcus was diagnosed with a rare heart defect, his parents faced a three-hour drive each way to CHKD. RMHC Norfolk provided them a room within walking distance of the hospital for six weeks. His mother later said: 'I couldn't have held his hand before surgery if we had to stay two hours away. Your donations did that. They let me be his mom when he needed me most.' A Single Mother from Out of State Priya traveled from North Carolina after her daughter's oncologist referred them to Norfolk for specialized treatment. With no local family and limited savings, she relied entirely on RMHC Norfolk. For 11 weeks, our House was her home. She volunteered with us for two years after her daughter's recovery. Twins Fighting Together When premature twins required NICU care for months, their parents could not afford a hotel for that entire stretch. RMHC Norfolk housed them at no cost. Charitable donations from Norfolk-area businesses and individuals made those months bearable, keeping the family unit intact during an extraordinarily fragile time. These are the families behind every charitable donation made to RMHC Norfolk. Your generosity is not abstract — it is a room key, a hot meal, a hug from a volunteer, and the ability for a parent to be present at the most critical moment of their child's life. Page 5 | rmhcnorfolk.org
RMHC Norfolk does not work alone. Virginia's network of charitable organizations collaborates to serve the state's most vulnerable families. Understanding this ecosystem helps donors see how their giving fits into a larger picture of social good. Key Partners in the Hampton Roads Region • Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD): Virginia's only freestanding children's hospital and our primary referral partner. Families treated at CHKD are our most frequent guests. • Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia: Collaborates on in-kind food drives; their surplus often supplements our family kitchen. • United Way of South Hampton Roads: Coordinates workplace giving campaigns that direct contributions to organizations like RMHC Norfolk. • Norfolk Foundation: Provides grant funding for capital improvements and special programs. • Local Faith Communities: Dozens of churches, mosques, and synagogues throughout Virginia organize volunteer days, meal preparations, and annual fundraising. How Virginia Donors Can Maximize Impact • Research the charity's 990 form (publicly available on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer). • Look for a Charity Navigator rating of 3+ stars or a GuideStar Gold Seal. • Ask what percentage of funds go to program services vs. overhead. • Consider recurring giving over one-time gifts for predictable impact. • Combine cash donations with volunteer time to deepen your connection. • Ask your employer about matching gift programs — many Virginia corporations double donations. • Donate appreciated stock to maximize the tax efficiency of your charitable donation. Page 6 | rmhcnorfolk.org
Norfolk Charitable donations are the lifeblood of RMHC Norfolk, but volunteer hours are its heartbeat. Every year, hundreds of Virginia residents give their time to cook meals, maintain our facility, welcome new families, and organize fundraising events that sustain our mission. Volunteer Opportunities • Family Meal Program: Prepare and serve a home-cooked dinner for our resident families. Groups of 4–12; available Tuesday through Sunday. • House Maintenance Days: Painting, landscaping, and minor repairs keep our facility welcoming. Ideal for corporate groups. • Front Desk & Concierge Support: Welcome arriving families, answer questions, and help with administrative tasks. • Special Events Volunteering: Join the team for our signature fundraising events including the annual Norfolk Wine Festival benefit. • Holiday Programs: Thanksgiving, winter holidays, and spring celebrations are especially meaningful for families far from home. Signature Fundraising Events • Norfolk Wine Festival: One of Hampton Roads' premier culinary events, featuring Virginia wineries, gourmet food, and live entertainment. rmhcnorfolk.org/norfolk-wine-festival/ • McHappy Day: Annual community day at participating McDonald's locations — a portion of every purchase benefits RMHC Norfolk. • Golf Classic: Annual tournament bringing together corporate sponsors and community supporters for a day of golf and giving. • Holiday Gala: Black-tie optional benefit dinner and auction in December, honoring corporate partners and major donors. Page 7 | rmhcnorfolk.org
You have read about the families we serve, the impact of charitable donations, and Virginia's rich philanthropic ecosystem. Now is the moment to turn intention into action. ACTION HOW LINK Make a charitable donation Secure online form, credit/debit/ACH rmhcnorfolk.org/donate-now/ Explore all ways to give Monthly giving, planned giving, in-kind rmhcnorfolk.org/ways-to-give/ Learn why donate to charity Impact stories, financials, mission rmhcnorfolk.org/why-giving-to-charity/ Find us among charities in Virginia About RMHC Norfolk, our story rmhcnorfolk.org Attend Norfolk Wine Festival Tickets, sponsorships, volunteer rmhcnorfolk.org/norfolk-wine-festival/ Our Promise to Donors Every dollar you entrust to RMHC Norfolk is treated as sacred. We maintain rigorous financial controls, publish full audited statements, and are proud to have earned the trust of Virginia families and donors for over three decades. When you ask yourself 'why donate to charity?', we hope the answer is clear: because families facing the unthinkable deserve to know they are not alone — and your charitable donation makes that assurance possible. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Norfolk Keeping Families Together When It Matters Most rmhcnorfolk.org Page 8 | rmhcnorfolk.org
Fleepit Digital © 2021