The Kroc Center

Every aspect of the 100,000-sq.-ft., arts, education, recreation and worship facility is designed to create an environment that fosters collaboration, mentorship and personal growth. The Kroc Center is the center of the surrounding communities, offering a comprehensive range of continuing education, visual and performing arts, health and wellness programs, family services and indoor/outdoor recreation for youth, adults, families and senior citizens.

History of the Kroc Center

In 2004 the national office of The Salvation Army received a gift in excess of $1.5 billion from the estate of Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc. Prior to her death, Mrs. Kroc stipulated that the gift should be used exclusively to build and partially endow several state-of-the-art Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers across the United States.

It was Mrs. Kroc’s desire that these Kroc Centers be safe, caring and exciting places, where residents of all ages, races, educational backgrounds and economic means converge to learn, to explore their potential and to experience God’s love in the process. Mrs. Kroc also stipulated that these centers must serve the needs of low-, moderate- and upper-income families, and be located between diverse economic, ethnic and racial neighborhoods.

In 2005, after undergoing a rigorous application process, Memphis was selected as one of only 30 cities across the nation to receive a matching gift to build a Kroc Center. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Memphis to earn $50 million, if $25 million could be raised locally.

Four years later, the $25 million was raised and the matched gift was received. In early 2010, ground was broken on 15 acres adjacent to the Mid-South Fairgrounds. Today, construction is underway on the 104,000 square foot Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.

Currently, the staff is busy shaping programs that will provide valuable services for the Memphis community. Strategic partnerships with local youth organizations and schools are forming, that are key to the Kroc Center becoming an effective tool for change in people's lives.