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Sunderland Foundation

Annual Giving
$218.3M
Grant Range
$25K - $25.0M

The Sunderland Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $218,342,551 (2023)
  • Median Grant: $250,000
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $25,000,000
  • Total Awards: 228 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Kansas City region and areas where Ash Grove Cement historically operated (Western MO, KS, NE, AR, Western IA, ID, Central TX, OK, OR, WA, UT, MT)
  • Assets: Over $1 billion

Contact Details

Current Application Status: The foundation is undergoing a strategic review and is not accepting grant applications or proposals at this time. Updated application guidelines and program areas of interest will be available in December 2025.

Overview

Established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, president of Ash Grove Cement Company, The Sunderland Foundation has been investing in the places and spaces where nonprofits do their work for nearly 80 years. The foundation's assets came primarily from shareholdings contributed by Lester and his sons Paul and Allen B. Sunderland. Four generations of the Sunderland family led Ash Grove until its 2018 acquisition by CRH plc. The foundation continues to be led by Lester T.'s descendants and has over $1 billion in assets.

The foundation's mission is to enhance quality of life in served communities, particularly focusing on populations with greatest need. Core values emphasize building just and equitable communities, trusting organizations and leaders as experts, and examining root causes of inequitable outcomes. Historically concentrated on capital projects for brick-and-mortar construction, the foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits primarily in the Kansas City region and areas where Ash Grove Cement traditionally operated. The foundation is known for making some of the largest philanthropic gifts in Kansas history, including a record-breaking $100 million to the University of Kansas Cancer Center in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sunderland Foundation focuses on four main funding areas:

1. Health Care and Hospitals (2024: $78 million)

  • Largest funding category
  • Building and improving healthcare facilities across served communities
  • Examples: University of Kansas Cancer Center ($100 million in 2023), hospitals and health systems throughout service regions

2. Higher Education (2024: $13 million)

  • Community colleges, private colleges, and public universities
  • Building projects, renovations, and facility improvements
  • Examples: Emporia State University nursing building, Cleveland University-Kansas City campus improvements

3. Human Services (2024: $11 million)

  • Youth services, homeless assistance, and family support
  • Facilities for essential services delivery
  • Recent grantees: Wyandot Behavioral Health (KS), Pro Deo Youth Center (MO), DCCCA (KS), Goodwill Industries (KS)

4. Arts and Culture (2024: $7 million)

  • Arts facilities and cultural projects
  • Examples: Union Station ($5 million in 2021), Liberty Memorial, Rock Island Bridge Project, National Museum of Toys and Miniatures

Priority Areas

The foundation prefers to make grants for:

  • Construction and renovation projects: Planning, design, construction, renovation, repairs, and restoration of facilities
  • Brick-and-mortar capital projects: Physical spaces where nonprofits operate
  • Energy-efficient affordable housing: Low-maintenance, energy-efficient housing projects sponsored by qualified tax-exempt organizations
  • Community buildings: Museums, civic projects, community centers
  • Well-established organizations: The foundation generally awards grants to larger, well-established nonprofit organizations

What They Don't Fund

The Sunderland Foundation does not currently award grants for:

  • Annual operating expenses
  • Programs or endowments
  • Sponsorship of special events, golf tournaments, banquets, etc.
  • Primary and secondary schools (generally not considered)
  • Scholarships or other assistance provided directly to individuals

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

The board consists primarily of Sunderland family members and community representatives, maintaining the family foundation's legacy through four generations.

Key Leadership

  • Kent Sunderland - Chairman
  • Randy Vance - President & Chief Operating Officer
  • Charles Sunderland - Secretary & Treasurer
  • Stephanie James - Grant Administrator

Randy Vance succeeded Kent Sunderland as COO, with Kent transitioning to the chairman role. Vance has articulated the foundation's commitment to transformational community investments.

Leadership Perspectives

Randy Vance on Union Station support (2021): "This is an investment in our community and in the physical place in which so many of us have built a lifetime of memories."

Randy Vance on Emporia State University nursing building (2023): "We are impressed by the transformational changes Emporia State is planning for the future and their commitment to investing in important academic areas like healthcare. Their visionary approach to preparing more nurses to serve our region after graduation made Emporia State a natural recipient of a Sunderland Foundation grant."

Randy Vance on the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures: "The Sunderland Foundation's ongoing support of The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures demonstrates how deeply we value building places where young minds grow and thrive and where communities come together for celebration and inspiration."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: The Sunderland Foundation is currently undergoing a strategic review and is NOT accepting grant applications or proposals at this time.

Updated application guidelines and program areas of interest will be available in December 2025.

When applications resume:

  • All grant requests must be submitted through the Online Application Portal at www.sunderland.org
  • Paper submissions are no longer accepted without an accompanying online grant application
  • There are no fixed deadlines - the foundation operates on a rolling basis
  • The foundation makes grants annually

Eligibility: Organizations must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate within the foundation's geographic service area.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines have not been publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a rolling basis rather than fixed grant cycles, suggesting decisions are made throughout the year as applications are reviewed.

Success Rates

Based on available data:

  • 228 grants awarded in 2023 (total: $218,342,551)
  • 278 grants awarded in 2022
  • 337 grants awarded in 2021
  • 346 grants awarded in 2020

The foundation shows a pattern of making fewer but larger grants over recent years. Specific success rate percentages (ratio of applications to awards) are not publicly available, but the foundation's preference for larger, well-established organizations suggests a selective process.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is publicly available. Organizations should contact the foundation at question@sunderland.org to inquire about reapplication timing and policies.

Application Success Factors

Based on publicly available information about funded projects, successful applications to the Sunderland Foundation demonstrate:

1. Strong Capital Project Focus

  • Successful applicants present well-defined brick-and-mortar projects with clear construction, renovation, or facility improvement plans
  • Projects should include detailed architectural plans, budgets, and timelines
  • Recent examples: University of Kansas Cancer Center ($100 million for new facility), Emporia State University (nursing building), Cleveland University-Kansas City (campus improvements)

2. Alignment with Geographic Service Area

  • Priority given to Kansas City region and areas where Ash Grove Cement historically operated
  • Recent grants show concentration in Kansas and Missouri, with awards throughout the broader service territory

3. Organizational Capacity and Stability

  • The foundation "generally awards grants to larger, well-established nonprofit organizations"
  • Track record of successful facility management and operations is important
  • Organizations should demonstrate capacity to complete and maintain proposed projects

4. Transformational Community Impact

  • Leadership emphasizes investments that transform communities
  • Randy Vance's statements highlight the importance of "transformational changes" and "visionary approaches"
  • Projects should demonstrate significant community benefit and reach populations with greatest need

5. Mission Alignment with Foundation Values

  • Projects that build "just and equitable communities"
  • Facilities serving "populations with greatest need"
  • Spaces where "young minds grow and thrive" and "communities come together"

6. Specific Sector Priorities

  • Healthcare facilities receive the largest share of funding (69% in 2024)
  • Higher education institutions, particularly those preparing healthcare workers
  • Youth-serving facilities and human services infrastructure
  • Cultural institutions that serve as community gathering places

7. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

  • Foundation specifically mentions interest in "low maintenance, energy efficient" projects
  • Sustainable building practices align with foundation priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Wait for December 2025: The foundation is not currently accepting applications during their strategic review. Monitor their website for updated guidelines expected in late 2025.

  • Capital projects only: This foundation exclusively funds brick-and-mortar projects. Do not apply for operating expenses, programs, or endowments.

  • Size matters: With a median grant of $250,000 and preference for "larger, well-established organizations," smaller organizations may face challenges. The foundation has awarded grants as large as $100 million and typically grants between $25,000 and $1 million.

  • Healthcare dominates: Nearly 70% of 2024 funding went to healthcare and hospital facilities. Organizations in this sector have strong alignment, particularly for facility improvements.

  • Geographic targeting is critical: Priority goes to Kansas City region and Ash Grove Cement's historic operating areas. Organizations outside these regions face lower success odds.

  • Demonstrate transformation: Leadership values "transformational" projects with "visionary approaches" that serve populations with greatest need. Applications should clearly articulate significant community impact.

  • Relationship to Ash Grove Cement legacy: Understanding the foundation's roots in the cement and building materials industry helps frame capital project proposals appropriately.

References

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