McDonald’s Scholarships
Corporate Giving Provides for College and Kids with Serious Illnesses
The golden arches have been a feature of the American landscape since the mid 1950s. No one keeps track of how many hamburgers are sold anymore; we already know it’s a nearly incalculable number.
McDonald’s Corporation has drawn fire for its fatty (read “unhealthy”) menu, and the corporation has made big strides to reinvigorate its affable image. Of course the restaurant chain is located in almost every country in the world, including challenging hotspots in the Middle East, which makes its commitment to corporate responsibility even more critical.
Key Programs
McDonald’s “Corporate Responsibility Report” summarizes the company’s projects around the world. Key programs include: environmentally conscious business and Rainforest certified coffees, both programs that support sustainable practices, and fundraising for its core charity, the Ronald McDonald House.
Realizing that communication with its public is key, McDonald’s is savvy in its use of contemporary Internet vehicles like its podcasts and Corporate Responsibility Blog, “Open for Discussion.”
Ronald McDonald House: Charity Pays Off
The corporate philanthropic arm of the McDonald’s Corporation is the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Ronald McDonald House locations provide comfortable and free accommodations for families who must travel to seek medical care for children. Families with afflicted children often face financial challenges and hardship on top of the stress of a sick child. The Ronald McDonald houses remain the core program.
The RMHC now also incorporates other philanthropic programs: a mobile healthcare unit and regional scholarships for economically and socially challenged students. Local Ronald McDonald Houses administer the RMHC National Scholarship Program. Applicants are selected on a local basis and the awards are dependent on regional funds as well as the candidate’s financial need. There are dozens of participating RMHs across the country.
The scholarships are separated into distinct awards: RMHC Asia, RMHC Hacer, RMHC African American Future Achievers and RMHC Scholars. The Scholars program is open to all eligible students, both national and international. The minority awards, however, require all applicants to prove they have one parent of Asian, Hispanic or African American heritage. Since 2001, when the first scholarships were awarded, the company has sent hundreds of students off to college with a collective $24 million dollars.
