History of The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Centers
Announced in January 2004, Mrs. Joan Kroc, widow of McDonalds' founder Ray Kroc, gave The Salvation Army in the United States an estate gifts in excess of $1.5 billion for the exclusive purpose of building and endowing KROC Centers in many communities across the country. The gift was one of the largest estate gifts made by an individual in the history of charitable giving. The first Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center was opened in San Diego in June 2002 at a ceremony presided over by Mrs. Joan Kroc. Members and friends of all ages enjoy access to the center's climbing wall, ice arena, aquatic center, gymnasium, performing arts complex, indoor skate park, family enrichment center, The Salvation Army church, day watch center, and much more.

The Western Territory of The Salvation Army received a $250 million share of Joan Kroc's $1.5 billion-plus gift to The Salvation Army,
enabling the six centers to begin construction.

Nationwide Kroc Centers:
Total number of centers: 30
2008: 2 centers opening
2009: 9 centers opening
2010: 11 centers opening
2011: 3 centers opening
Undetermined: 5 centers

Selected Cities to receive from The Salvation Army for
Kroc Center Development
Central Territory: Chicago, IL; Grand Rapids, MI; Green Bay, WI; Quincy, IL; Detroit, MN; St. Joseph County, IN; Omaha, NE.

Eastern Territory: Ashland, OH; Boston MA; Camden, NJ; Dayton, OH; Massena, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Staten Island, NY

Southern Territory: Augusta, GA; Biloxi, MS; Charlotte, NC; Greenville, SC; Kerrville, TX; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Morgantown, WV; Tidewater, VA; Atlanta, GA

Western Territory: Coeur d'Alene, ID; Honolulu, HI; Long Beach, CA; Phoenix - South Mountain, AZ; Salem, OR; and
San Francisco -Tenderloin, CA.