FAQs

What is the Kroc Center?

"An exceptional facility with exceptional service."

The Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center will be a place to learn, a place to play, a place for spiritual guidance, a place where residents of all ages, races, educational and economic levels can come together. We believe it will become a center of the community. To facilitate this goal, the Kroc Center will include:

NBA quality basketball courts
Soccer fields
Aquatic features
Fitness center
Worship area
Art rooms

Theater
Health clinic
Meeting rooms
Classroom facilities
Referral programs
Food services

Well-staffed programs in continuing education, the visual and performing arts, health/wellness, family services, and indoor/outdoor recreation will be available for youth, young adults, families and senior citizens.

What makes it so special?

This is a privately funded, proactive step by The Salvation Army to promote healthy living in order to reduce the need for reactive programs for societal ills.
The Kroc Center is people- and program-based with full-time staffing for programs.
Services will be holistic, dealing with a wide range of human needs and opportunities.
The Kroc Center will be an integral part of the community. It will be a place where residents can gather for many activities and needs or become involved in planning new services/programs. At the Kroc Center, people will have the opportunity to volunteer and learn about community events and resources.
The Kroc Center will provide programming for all levels of participants.

How is the project funded?

The Kroc Trust will provide $25 million for construction and furnishing costs. Upon raising $25 million locally, the Kroc Trust will match that amount with an additional $25 million for an endowment to help cover the costs of operation.
This will amount to a $75 million gift to the residents of the City of Memphis that will transform the city's landscape.
If you can help us reach this goal for this wonderful ministry or have suggestions, please contact Stephen Carpenter, Director of Kroc Operations, at 901-543-8586.

Are there partner providers in
the Kroc Center?

The Salvation Army believes the most basic component of community is the ability to help one another. In that light, collaboration and partnerships are vital to the success of this endeavor. We are aligning ourselves with mission-appropriate partners who will play a vital role in involving the community in the Kroc Center.

Current partners include:

Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM)
Sports programming
C.R.O.S.S. Fire Commandos
Interactive youth team-building activities
Urban Youth Initiative (UYI)
Funding and oversight for youth mentoring and educational programs.

Currently, the visual and performing arts, aquatics, fitness, food services, worship, community information and referral services, and administration will be provided by The Salvation Army Kroc Center staff with opportunity for many outside programming groups and partnerships.

How can I stay informed or contact someone to make a donation?

If you would like more information on the Kroc Center or would like to make a donation, please contact: