The Salvation Army, better known for collecting spare change rather than billion-dollar bequests, is to use the money to build community centres around the US.
The centres are to be based on one that the Krocs founded in San Diego. It cost $92m and includes an ice rink, a gym and a creche. The $1.5bn (£820m) gift will not cover all the expenses of running such centres, leaving the Salvation Army to raise funds to cover the difference.
Major George Hood, national community relations secretary for the Salvation Army, told The New York Times that it had seriously considered the implications of accepting the donation before agreeing.
"No one, realistically, was ever going to turn it down but in accepting it we are also taking on a significant fundraising challenge," he said.
If you have an opinion on this or any other issue raised on Brand Republic, join the debate in the .