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: Greater Kansas City (planned spend-down by 2030)
• Assets: Over $1 billion
• Application Status: Invitation-only (no unsolicited applications)

Contact Details

• Website: sunderland.org
• Email: question@sunderland.org
• Phone: 913-335-6454
• Location: 5700 W 112th St Ste 320, Overland Park, KS 66211

Current Application Status: The foundation has transitioned to an invitation-only grantmaking process. Unsolicited applications are no longer accepted.

Overview

Established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, president of Ash Grove Cement Company, The Sunderland Foundation has granted more than $1 billion over its lifetime. 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's trustees have decided to initiate a sunset of the foundation by 2030, with a significant portion of the foundation's remaining assets being spent out in the Greater Kansas City area, returning to the community where the foundation began. The foundation continues to be led by Lester T.'s descendants and has approximately $1 billion in remaining assets.

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 - both the largest gift ever given by the Sunderland Foundation and the largest ever received by the University of Kansas and The University of Kansas Health System.

Funding Priorities

Strategic Priority Areas

As part of its spend-down strategy, the Sunderland Foundation focuses its giving across five strategic priority areas:

1. Affordable Housing

• Supporting housing affordability initiatives in Greater Kansas City

2. Economic Stability

• Programs that enhance economic opportunities and stability for communities

3. Health and Behavioral Health

• Healthcare facilities and behavioral health initiatives

4. Youth Development

• Programs and facilities supporting youth in the community

5. Select Legacy Relationships

• Continued support for longstanding grantee partnerships

Historic Grant Examples

Recent major grants have included:

• University of Kansas Cancer Center: $100 million (2023) - for new cancer research and care facility
• Union Station: $5 million (2021)
• Emporia State University: Nursing building support (2023)

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 has transitioned to an invitation-only grantmaking process and is NOT accepting unsolicited grant applications.

The foundation closed its open application portal in January 2026 as part of executing its spend-down strategy by 2030. This invitation-only approach allows the foundation to steward remaining funds with care while supporting organizations working across its five strategic priority areas.

Current grantees: Organizations with existing grant commitments will continue to receive funding as previously agreed upon.

New funding: For new funding opportunities, organizations must be directly invited by the foundation to apply.

Contact: Organizations may contact the foundation for general inquiries at:

• Email: question@sunderland.org
• Phone: 913-335-6454

Eligibility: Organizations must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and operate within the Greater Kansas City area.

Decision Timeline

As an invitation-only funder, specific decision timelines are determined on a case-by-case basis for invited organizations.

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. As an invitation-only funder, traditional success rate metrics no longer apply.

Reapplication Policy

As the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, reapplication is not applicable. Organizations must be invited by the foundation to submit proposals.

Application Success Factors

As the foundation now operates by invitation only, organizations cannot proactively apply. However, understanding the foundation's priorities can help organizations position themselves for potential invitation:

1. Alignment with Spend-Down Focus

• Organizations must operate in Greater Kansas City
• Projects should align with one of the five strategic priority areas
• Emphasis on transformational impact before 2030 sunset

2. Strategic Priority Area Alignment

• Clear connection to affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, or existing legacy relationships
• Demonstrated impact in these areas within Greater Kansas City

3. Organizational Capacity and Track Record

• History of successful project implementation
• Strong financial management and governance
• Ability to maximize impact of significant funding

4. Transformational Potential

• Projects that can create lasting change before 2030
• Initiatives that address urgent community needs
• Opportunities for systemic impact in priority areas

5. Historical Relationship

• Organizations with existing or past successful partnerships may be prioritized
• "Select legacy relationships" indicates continued support for longstanding partners

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications: The foundation operates by invitation only. Do not submit unsolicited proposals.

• Sunset by 2030: The foundation is spending down its assets by 2030, focusing on transformational investments in Greater Kansas City.

• Five priority areas: All funding aligns with affordable housing, economic stability, health and behavioral health, youth development, or legacy relationships.

• Greater Kansas City focus: Geographic scope has narrowed significantly from previous multi-state coverage.

• Large grants continue: Despite the spend-down, the foundation continues making substantial grants (median $250,000, up to $25 million).

• Relationship building: While direct applications aren't possible, maintaining visibility and demonstrating impact in priority areas may lead to invitation.

• Contact for inquiries: Organizations can still contact the foundation at question@sunderland.org for general information.

References

• The Sunderland Foundation official website: https://sunderland.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
• The Sunderland Foundation - About page: https://sunderland.org/about-us/ (Accessed December 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Sunderland Foundation: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/446011082 (990 Filing Data 2023)
• KU Cancer Center press release: "KU Cancer Center receives historic $100 million gift from Sunderland Foundation to support new cancer research and care facility" https://www.kumc.edu/about/news/news-archive/ku-cancer-center-receives-100-million-gift.html (June 2023)
• Union Station KC press release: "$5M from the Sunderland Foundation" https://unionstation.org/2021/10/27/union-station-receives-transformational-5-million-grant-from-the-sunderland-foundation/ (October 2021)
• Emporia State University: "July 2023 — Sunderland Gift" https://www.emporia.edu/news/july-2023-sunderland-gift/ (July 2023)
• Cause IQ - Sunderland Foundation profile: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/sunderland-foundation,446011082/ (Accessed December 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy - Sunderland Foundation: https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/kansas-grants/sunderland-foundation (Accessed December 2025)