From the billions of McDonald’s hamburgers served, billions of dollars have been donated to charity. Joan B. Kroc was married to Ray Kroc, the savvy entrepreneur who transferred McDonald’s into a global superbrand. She carefully and deliberately oversaw the dispersal of the fortune that they built together and following her husband’s death in 1984, Joan committed the next twenty years to giving generously to a wide range of causes.

A woman of considerable energy and spontaneity, Joan had diverse interests – from traveling the world to cheering on the San Diego Padres baseball team of which she was an owner. A majority of her time, however, was devoted to doing good in the world. If a cause touched her in any way, she gave significant funding, often to the surprise of the recipients. She took joy in anonymous donations and genuinely wanted to make a difference in the world.

Throughout her lifetime, Joan gave tens of millions of dollars to natural disaster relief efforts, universities, zoos, public health initiatives, medical aid and famine relief. She bequeathed even larger gifts to the Salvation Army and ultimately gave $1.5 billion to build similar centers throughout the country. Joan was committed to giving transformative amounts of money in order to see real results.

On the occasion of one of her grandchildren’s birthday she wrote, “I want you to believe that a life of service is a happy one to lead. Serve others joyously and your reward will be great; carry with you the message of charity and brotherly love.” After Joan’s passing in 2003, this sentiment lives on through her family, as well as, the continued work of the institutions and charities she so passionately supported.