Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) today announced it has been awarded a $1.5 million, three-year grant from the RBC Foundation USA to pilot an AI-powered Family Navigation Hub for families staying at RMH-NY. Today, families staying at RMH-NY rely on paper flyers and bulletin boards to find critical information. The investment will give families 24/7, multilingual access to trusted information about RMH-NY services, transportation, meals, wellness programs, and community resources.

“As Ronald McDonald House New York continues to evolve to meet the needs of the families we serve, this multi-year investment from the RBC Foundation USA will help us thoughtfully explore how AI can strengthen the support and resources we provide,” said Lucretia Gilbert, President and CEO of RMH-NY. “Families caring for a child with serious illness are navigating an overwhelming amount of information, often while living away from home and managing significant emotional and financial stress. Thanks to the support of RBC Foundation USA, we can make it easier for families to find the information and resources they need. This investment will help us deepen our family-centered approach.”

Over the three-year pilot, RMH-NY will develop, test and evaluate the Hub with families and staff, with plans to expand its capabilities over time to include personalized navigation and support. The organization will gather feedback from families during the development process to ensure the platform reflects their needs and experiences.

“AI is allowing us to fundamentally reimagine how organizations serve their communities,” said Bobby Grubert, Head of AI & Digital Innovation at RBC Capital Markets. “We’re proud to stand alongside Ronald McDonald House New York as they harness AI to help lift the weight from families caring for a seriously ill child. The most effective technology disappears into the experience — freeing those supporting the families to spend less time on paperwork and more time on what only a human can give: presence, compassion, and connection. We’re not just sharing what we’ve built; we’re building something new together, and the families and staff who shape this solution will make it better for everyone.”

The investment builds on the RBC Foundation USA’s previous three-year, $1,050,000 commitment supporting RMH-NY’s health equity program. These commitments reflect RBC’s purpose to help communities prosper. RBC’s support for Ronald McDonald Houses extends beyond New York, with a long-standing commitment to RMH chapters around the world.

Beyond its impact on the RMH-NY community, the pilot will document outcomes, lessons learned and best practices to create a framework that can be adapted by other Ronald McDonald Houses. By the end of the three-year initiative, RMH-NY aims to have a functioning AI-powered Family Navigation Hub.

RMH-NY supports children and families from New York City, across the U.S. and around the world in the fight against pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses through its House on East 73rd Street in Manhattan as well as in partnering New York City hospitals.

About Ronald McDonald House New York

Located on East 73rd Street in New York, Ronald McDonald House New York (RMH-NY) provides temporary housing and support services for children and families while they receive treatment for pediatric cancer and other serious illnesses at nearby hospitals. RMH-NY has served more than 59,000 families throughout all five boroughs of New York City, across the U.S. and around the world, and approximately 40% of families are international. Its 11-story, 79,000-square-foot House features 95 guestrooms – including six post-transplant suites – four full guest kitchens, laundry facilities, two outdoor terraces, private libraries, a dining room, living room and more. At the House, families are welcomed with love and comfort, and lifelong friendships are formed among people who understand what it’s like to cope with devastating diagnoses. RMH-NY’s programs help to provide families a sense of normalcy, including wellness programs, educational tutors, music, art, transportation, activities for siblings, holiday and birthday parties, specialized support groups and more. The organization’s presence extends well beyond the confines of the House, as RMH-NY is also committed to positively impacting communities across the five boroughs. Through partnerships with 22 of the city’s leading hospitals, RMH-NY provides critical services to families at these hospitals working to address the social determinants of health within the New York City community. For more information, or to learn how to volunteer or donate, please visit rmh-newyork.org

About RBC Foundation USA

The RBC Foundation USA is a registered 501(c)(3) private foundation. Funded by RBC Wealth Management and RBC Capital Markets, the RBC Foundation USA provides donations exclusively from its annual earnings, not from third-party or client donations. To learn more, visit https://www.rbccm.com/en/our-impact.

About RBC Capital Markets

The most significant corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms and governments around the globe recognize RBC Capital Markets as an innovative, trusted partner with an in-depth expertise in capital markets, banking and finance. We are well-established in the largest, most mature capital markets across North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, which collectively encompasses 80% of the global investment banking fee pool.

RBC Capital Markets is part of a leading provider of financial services, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Founded in 1864, RBC is Canada’s biggest bank and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization. With a strong capital base and consistent financial performance, RBC is among a small group of highly rated global banks. Learn more at rbccm.com.

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