
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana has received a $500,000 Challenge Grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation to support the construction of a Ronald McDonald House inside Baptist Health in Little Rock.
This grant is the continuation of a 10-year partnership that previously helped build several other Ronald McDonald House programs across Arkansas.
The Mabee Foundation has given nearly $2.5 million to build three Ronald McDonald Houses in Little Rock, Fort Smith and Fayetteville, and the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in Little Rock.
To fulfill the challenge and receive the $500,000 donation from the Mabee Foundation, the charity must raise an additional $250,000 for construction of Ronald McDonald House – Baptist Health by April 8, 2026.
To date more than $2.2 million has been given to build Ronald McDonald House – Baptist Health. The Challenge Grant from the Mabee Foundation aims to inspire individuals to donate the $250,000 needed to fully fund construction, and an additional $800,000 for furnishings, equipment and three years of operating support
Construction on Ronald McDonald House – Baptist Health is slated to begin in March 2026 with an anticipated opening six months later. Once open, the first in-hospital Ronald McDonald House in central Arkansas will provide overnight comfort and daytime support to all families who have a child at Baptist Health.
“This support from the Mabee Foundation is transformational, and we are beyond grateful. Time and time again the foundation has shown their commitment to ensuring families can stay together when they are fighting for their child’s life in the hospital. Their generosity makes a lasting impact on families who stay at Ronald McDonald House.” Janell Mason, CEO of RMHC AR & NLA, said in a press release.
The Mabee Foundation is based in Midland, Texas. In its nearly 80-year history, the foundation has provided more than $1.6 billion to fund capital expenditures and purchase major medical equipment for projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.