Joan Kroc, Philanthropist

Joan Kroc, McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc’s third wife, was known as one of the greatest philanthropists of our time. She began a legacy of hope when she entrusted The Salvation Army with $1.5 billion to build community centers all across the country. Her dream to build a network of “Kroc Centers” has become a reality with established centers across the country providing opportunities in arts, education, and athletics for children, adults, and families in underserved communities. The $3 billion donations by the Krocs’ is the largest philanthropical gifts ever made in US history, as of 2016 date of books’ publication.

She was considered a force in the addiction and peace movements and continued to provide formidable donations to other organizations including National Public Radio ($225 million) who to this day still credits Joan’s name on the air, as well as Auntie Helen’s Fluff N’ Fold, a laundry service that helps those with H.I.V./AIDS in San Diego ($500,000). Her money has helped to finance research, make films about the effects of addition and push for changes in medical school curriculums.

Read about how in 2004, Joan Kroc made the largest philanthropic gift ever made by an individual in the United States. To preview or order this book, please click on the button below.