The Sunderland Foundation, established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, is a private philanthropic entity rooted in Kansas City. Originally built on the family legacy tied to the Ash Grove Cement Company, the foundation has maintained a strong focus on capital projects that support the development and resilience of communities. The foundation is still guided by Sunderland descendants and a board of trustees and leadership team who uphold the founder’s vision of enhancing quality of life through infrastructure and built environments.
Historically, the Sunderland Foundation has awarded grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations for capital building projects across a wide geographic region, particularly in areas previously connected to Ash Grove Cement’s operations. The foundation has prioritized funding in higher education, human services, arts and culture, and health care. In 2024, they distributed $109 million across these four categories, with hospitals and healthcare organizations receiving the largest share at $78 million, followed by $13 million in higher education, $11 million in human services, and $7 million in arts and culture.
The foundation favors initiatives that support underserved populations, aiming to foster equitable and inclusive development. Recent recipients included universities, behavioral health centers, youth programs, museums, and hospitals. These awards are primarily directed toward brick-and-mortar infrastructure projects, reinforcing the foundation's long-standing commitment to physical community assets.
Currently, the Sunderland Foundation is undergoing a strategic review and has paused all new grant applications and proposal intake. Updated application guidelines and program areas of interest are expected to be released in December 2025. No open or active grant cycle is available at this time, and there is no publicly stated information on the future structure of the application process.
Applicants and interested organizations are encouraged to monitor the foundation’s website for the December 2025 update, at which point more detailed information regarding funding scope, eligibility, submission mechanics, and program priorities will be shared. For any immediate inquiries, the foundation can be contacted via email at question@sunderland.org. Until new information is published, the opportunity remains inactive and non-submittable.
