Charleston Ronald McDonald House construction to triple capacity

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston broke ground on a 42,500-square-foot house expansion, intended to eliminate the waitlist for families, according to a news release. 

Since opening eight years ago, RMHC Charleston has helped over 5,250 families, but was forced to turn away 457 for lack of space, according to the release.  

The expansion will include a five-story addition that will triple capacity at the current location. According to the release, the space will add 46 bedrooms to total 70 bedrooms. 

Contributing to the funding was Coastal Community Foundation, which provided a $2 million loan to the RMHC Charleston at a reduced interest rate. According to the release, the loan is financed through CCF’s Place-Based Impact Investment program. 

“The PBII program allows us to make large-scale investments in projects bettering our region,” Darrin Goss Sr., CCF president and CEO, said in the release. “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.”   

Construction on the expansion began June 26 and is expected to be completed in early 2027, according to the release. 

“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,” Kathy Papadimitriou, CEO of RMHC Charleston, said in the release.