Augusta Kroc Center FAQs
What is happening now?
A Program Study has concluded. This Program Study was completed by a Salvation Army-approved firm (The Medical Foundation – Boston) that will establish that the need for the proposed Kroc Center and its program does exist in Augusta. The study will also verify that the multi-Partner Structure of the Augusta Kroc Center can be brought together for the facility and also true to the mission of The Salvation Army. Focus Groups from differing segments of the partners and the community will be brought together and interviewed regarding their specific areas of interest. The results of the study were released on October 18, 2006.
What has happened to date?
The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center preliminary application has been approved. In short, the concept was approved. The Augusta application is only the seventh to be approved in the Southeast. This is a very competitive process and with funds from the Joan Kroc estate running low, the competition became more intense. Now, $71.6 million in funding from the Joan Kroc estate has been set aside for the city of Augusta. The program study has been conducted and the results have been released.
How much has to be raised in a Capital Campaign?
The Ray & Joan Kroc estate was designed to encourage a “buy-in” from the community. In short, for every dollar we raise locally, the Kroc estate will give us $2 for a Kroc Center. So, for Augusta to receive a gift of over $107 million, Augusta will have to raise $35.8 million. Early indications have identified over 20% of the total goal providing confidence in the successful completion of a capital campaign.
What happens next?
The Salvation Army of Augusta has been interviewing Feasibility Study Firms to just assess the capacity to raise the matching funds necessary in a capital campaign. The Feasilbility study is set to begin immediately following the approval of the Program Study. The Feasibility study itself will last three-six months with the firm moving seamlessly into the capital campaign itself.
Simultaneously, we have been meeting with firms to conduct a Facility Study wherein the firm selected will assess the expenses and income of the proposed facility. In addition the firm will assess the partnerships and proposed components of the facility and make recommendations as to the design and the inter-relationships of all the partnering agencies. It is expected that this study will begin following the approval of the Program Study and will take approximately six months.
How can I find out more?
The Salvation Army has set up an email address at kroccenter@salvationarmyaugusta.com to handle any questions.
Kroc Mission Statement:
In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center will provide facilities, programs and services that encourage positive life-changing experiences for children and adults, strengthen families, and enrich the lives of seniors.
Kroc Center Background:
In 2003, late philanthropist Joan Kroc bequeathed $1.5 billion to The Salvation Army to build Kroc Centers throughout the United States that would combine “family and youth development and recreation”. Approximately $400 million of those funds were distributed to the Southern Territory of which Augusta is a part. The Salvation Army in Augusta saw the potential of making such a “dream center” a reality and submitted a proposal to receive the funding to build a Kroc Center in Augusta.
The Salvation Army Board of Advisors, Augusta-Richmond County commissioners, non-profit partners and community volunteers all came together to ensure completion of a proposal for a community center that will, as The Salvation Army’s motto states: “Do the Most Good” for our community. With funds rapidly being allocated throughout the territory, an application needed to come together quickly and the Augusta community responded. In the span of just three months, community volunteers, Salvation Army staff and its Advisory Board finalized a plan for the Center's facilities and programs that was approved by The Salvation Army Kroc Committee.
Key Information:
• A Ray and Joan Kroc Center is for new programs and facilities only. The Emergency Shelter will not move from the Greene Street location.
• The Salvation Army’s existing programs are not being funded by the Kroc funds. Funding levels must continue normally as Kroc funds only go towards the construction and maintenance of the center itself. (This applied to all partner groups, including: The United Way, Junior Achievement, Boys & Girls Clubs and the Greater Augusta Arts Council).
• It is the policy of The Salvation Army of Augusta that no home owners will be displaced though eminent domain.
• Architects, Contractors and other planning services have not been contacted or interviewed. All bids and interviews will be conducted after the conclusion of a feasibility study. The process will give preference to local businesses and hiring. The approval of a Kroc Center was a community effort and it is The Salvation Army’s belief that the planning and construction shall be a local community effort as well.
• It has been stated by The Salvation Army’s Kroc Committee that “Augusta has the potential for setting a standard for the provision of services to its community that can be a model for other Kroc Centers across the country.”
• The only completed Ray & Joan Kroc Center is in San Diego, CA. There are no Kroc Centers under construction in the Southeastern US territory.
• The other cities awarded Kroc Center Preliminary Approval in the Southeast Territory are: Atlanta, GA; Greenville, SC; Memphis, TN; Louisville, KY, Morgantown, WV; Kerrville, TX
