//
Work at this foundation?
Claim this profile to manage it and see interest from grant seekers.
Sunderland Foundation is a private corporation based in SHAWNEE MSN, KS. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1946. It holds total assets of $926.1M. Annual income is reported at $333.9M. Total assets have grown from $72.5M in 2011 to $1B in 2023. The foundation is governed by 10 officers and trustees. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2023. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Greater Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas. According to available records, Sunderland Foundation has made 624 grants totaling $402.3M, with a median grant of $200K. The foundation has distributed between $188.5M and $213.8M annually from 2020 to 2022. Individual grants have ranged from $3K to $25M, with an average award of $645K. The foundation has supported 508 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Missouri, Kansas, Washington, which account for 69% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 24 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
The Sunderland Foundation transitioned to invitation-only grantmaking in 2025-2026 as part of its planned spend-out by 2030. There is no open application process — organizations cannot apply directly. The path to funding is through demonstrated alignment with the five strategic focus areas (Affordable Housing, Economic Stability, Health and Behavioral Health, Youth Development, and Select Legacy Relationships) and existing or cultivable relationships with Foundation staff. Grant Administrator Stephanie James and President Randy Vance are the key relationship contacts. Organizations should monitor the Foundation's communications for any invitation windows and ensure they are visible to Foundation staff through community convenings, United Way partnerships, and regional philanthropic networks. Legacy grantees (those that received funding in 2021-2024) should proactively communicate their ongoing impact to be included in the invitation list.
The Foundation granted $142.8M in 2024, with the following sectoral breakdown: Healthcare & Hospitals dominated at $78.5M (55%), driven by two $10M grants to Children's Mercy Hospital and a combined $50M investment in the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Intermediary funds received $29.3M (21%), notably $24.7M to the KC People's Fund. Human Services received $11.6M (8%), Higher Education $13M (9%), and Civic & Community $7.9M (6%). Historically the Foundation focused exclusively on capital construction and renovation projects, but with the spend-out it now explicitly accepts operating support, programmatic funding, and systems-change initiatives. Typical grant sizes range from $2,500 to $10M, with a median around $200,000 and an average of $540,000. Mega-grants ($1M+) are concentrated in healthcare, housing, and education.
| Foundation | Assets | HQ | Primary Focus | Grantmaking Style | KC Overlap? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland Foundation | $926M | Overland Park, KS | Housing, Health, Youth, Economic Stability | Invitation-only; spend-out by 2030 | Yes — exclusive KC focus |
| Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation | $2.45B | Kansas City, MO | Entrepreneurship, Workforce, Education | Open grants + programs | Yes — direct peer |
| Hall Family Foundation | $1.09B | Kansas City, MO | Arts, Education, Community Dev, Health | Relationship-based | Yes — direct peer |
| Patterson Family Foundation | $1.53B | Kansas City, MO | Rural Communities, Economic Opportunity | Open/invited applications | Partial (rural KS/MO) |
| Walter Scott Family Foundation | $2.83B | Omaha, NE | Nebraska civic & education | Invitation-only | Minimal |
| Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation | $2.84B | Omaha, NE | Higher Ed scholarships, reproductive health | Limited direct grants | No |
| Robert B. Daugherty Foundation | $840M | Omaha, NE | Broad charitable (science, education) | Invitation-based | No |
The Foundation's most significant recent development is the 2025-2026 announcement of a planned spend-out by 2030, concentrating all remaining assets (approximately $926M at time of announcement) exclusively in Greater Kansas City. In 2024, the Foundation awarded $142.8M — approximately 15% of its assets — including landmark grants: a combined $50M to the University of Kansas Cancer Center (one $25M direct grant and one $25M challenge grant), two $10M grants to Children's Mercy Hospital for a Behavioral Health Joint Venture, $24.7M to the KC People's Fund intermediary, $3M to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, and $2M each to DTC Community Development and United Way of Greater Kansas City. The Foundation also made significant Environmental Justice grants in 2024 ($1.4M to Clima Fund and The Solutions Project), reflecting a brief expansion into national climate work before the KC-exclusive spend-out pivot.
1. Do not cold-apply. The Foundation is invitation-only as of 2026. Any unsolicited application will not be considered. Focus all energy on relationship-building. 2. Demonstrate Greater Kansas City rootedness. The Foundation now exclusively funds KC-area organizations. Your application narrative, leadership, and impact data must be KC-specific. 3. Align with the five strategic areas. Affordable Housing, Economic Stability, Health/Behavioral Health, Youth Development, and Select Legacy Relationships are the only funded categories. Frame your work in these terms. 4. Lead with capital project experience if applicable. While the Foundation now accepts operating support, its historical strength is evaluating capital campaigns. If you have a facility or capital component, lead with it. 5. Leverage intermediary relationships. The Foundation channels large sums through intermediaries like KC People's Fund, United Way of Greater KC, and Greater KC Community Foundation. If you cannot get a direct invite, seek funding through these vehicles which are already Sunderland partners. 6. Move quickly — the window closes in 2030. With a firm spend-out deadline, the Foundation must deploy ~$700-800M in remaining assets over 4-5 years. Relationships formed now have the highest probability of resulting in grants before the Foundation closes.
Create a free Granted account to download this report — includes application checklist, full financial data, and all grantees.
Already have an account? Sign in to download.
Assists family stability, economic security and community well-being by investing in affordable housing, emergency shelters, transitional housing, eviction prevention services and homeownership pathways.
Supports community resilience and family stability by expanding equitable access to opportunity, quality jobs and capital for entrepreneurship and local investment.
Strengthens holistic community well-being by expanding access to affordable, high-quality behavioral healthcare and closing health care equity gaps.
Strengthens the support systems that help children, youth and families thrive by expanding equitable access to quality education and family-centered services.
Honors long-standing commitments to civic, cultural and educational institutions that have shaped Greater Kansas City's vitality and identity.
The Foundation granted $142.8M in 2024, with the following sectoral breakdown: Healthcare & Hospitals dominated at $78.5M (55%), driven by two $10M grants to Children's Mercy Hospital and a combined $50M investment in the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Intermediary funds received $29.3M (21%), notably $24.7M to the KC People's Fund. Human Services received $11.6M (8%), Higher Education $13M (9%), and Civic & Community $7.9M (6%). Historically the Foundation focused exclusively on capital co.
Sunderland Foundation has distributed a total of $402.3M across 624 grants. The median grant size is $200K, with an average of $645K. Individual grants have ranged from $3K to $25M.
The Sunderland Foundation transitioned to invitation-only grantmaking in 2025-2026 as part of its planned spend-out by 2030. There is no open application process — organizations cannot apply directly. The path to funding is through demonstrated alignment with the five strategic focus areas (Affordable Housing, Economic Stability, Health and Behavioral Health, Youth Development, and Select Legacy Relationships) and existing or cultivable relationships with Foundation staff. Grant Administrator St.
Sunderland Foundation is headquartered in SHAWNEE MSN, KS. While based in KS, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 24 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randy Vance | PRESIDENT, COO | $426K | $74K | $500K |
| Charles Sunderland | SECRETARY & TREASURER, TRUSTEE | $12K | $0 | $12K |
| Michelle Buckner | TRUSTEE | $12K | $14K | $26K |
| Emery Golson | TRUSTEE | $12K | $19K | $31K |
| Leigh Foster | TRUSTEE | $12K | $0 | $12K |
| Jennifer Mayhew | TRUSTEE | $12K | $0 | $12K |
| Thomas Sunderland | TRUSTEE | $12K | $16K | $28K |
| William Sunderland | TRUSTEE | $12K | $0 | $12K |
| Kent Sunderland | CHAIRMAN, TRUSTEE | $12K | $0 | $12K |
| Grant Sunderland | TRUSTEE | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
$222.5M
Total Assets
$1B
Fair Market Value
$1B
Net Worth
$1B
Grants Paid
$218.3M
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
$59M
Distribution Amount
$52.9M
Total: $710M
Total Grants
624
Total Giving
$402.3M
Average Grant
$645K
Median Grant
$200K
Unique Recipients
508
Most Common Grant
$250K
of 2022 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children'S VillageNEURODEVELOPMENTAL CENTER RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT | Overland Park, KS | $1.5M | 2022 |
| University Of Kansas Endowment AssociationKU CANCER CENTER CONSTRUCTION | Lawrence, KS | $25M | 2022 |
| University Of Washington FoundationHARING CENTER | Seattle, WA | $10M | 2022 |
| University Of Missouri Kansas City - FoundationCONSTRUCT HEALTHCARE INNOVATION & DELIVERY BUILDING | Kansas City, MO | $10M | 2022 |
| Adventhealth Kansas City FoundationRENOVATE AND EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | Overland Park, KS | $5M | 2022 |
| Seattle Children'S HospitalRELOCATE SEATTLE CHILDREN'S AUTISM CENTER | Seattle, WA | $5M | 2022 |
| Springfield Art MuseumCAPITAL PROJECTS | Springfield, MO | $5M | 2022 |
| Harvester'S Food NetworkRELOCATE TOPEKA WAREHOUSE TO LAWRENCE | Kansas City, MO | $3.8M | 2022 |
| Mercy Health Foundation OkcCREATE NEW WOMEN'S CENTER AT MERCY HOSPITAL IN OKC | Oklahoma City, OK | $3.8M | 2022 |
| Starlight Theatre Association Of Kansas CityTHEATER RENOVATIONS - RESTROOMS, OFFICES, STORAGE & KITCHEN | Kansas City, MO | $3M | 2022 |
| Reconciliation ServicesRENOVATE SOCIAL/MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BUILDING | Kansas City, MO | $3M | 2022 |
| Baylor UniversityRENOVATE AND RESTORE TIDWELL BIBLE BUILDING | Waco, TX | $3M | 2022 |
| University Of Central MissouriRENOVATE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE BUILDING | Warrensburg, MO | $2.9M | 2022 |
| Imagine Children'S MuseumMUSEUM EXPANSION PROJECT | Everett, WA | $2.5M | 2022 |
| Liberty Memorial AssociationGALLERY ENHANCEMENT PROJECT | Kansas City, MO | $2.5M | 2022 |
| Metropolitan Community College FoundationGENERAL AND OPERATING SUPPORT | Kansas City, MO | $2.5M | 2022 |
| AlphapointeEXPAND FACILITY TO ACCOMMODATE WAREHOUSE | Kansas City, MO | $2.1M | 2022 |
| Restoration House Of Greater Kansas CityCONSTRUCT NEW TRANSITIONAL HOUSING | Harrisonville, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment AssociationEXPAND CANCER CENTER | Lawrence, KS | $2M | 2022 |
| Kansas City MuseumMUSEUM UPDATES AND RENOVATION | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Community Alliance IncNEW MENTAL HEALTH CENTER BUILDING | Olathe, KS | $2M | 2022 |
| Greater Kansas City Community FoundationFUND SUNDERLAND FAMILY FUND | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Goldman Sachs Philanthropy FundDONATE TO FOSTER FAMILY FUND | Latham, NY | $2M | 2022 |
| Barstow SchoolCONSTRUCT IDEA SPACE KC | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Impact Assets IncFUND GRANT SUNDERLAND DAF FUND - MARIPOSA FUND | Bethesda, MD | $2M | 2022 |
| Truman Medical Center FoundationCONSTRUCT NICU | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Johnson County Community College FoundationCONSTRUCT CDL TRAINING | Overland Park, KS | $2M | 2022 |
| Drury UniversityCONSTRUCT A LYCEUM IN NEW STUDENT LIFE CENTER | Springfield, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| United Way Of Greater Kansas CityCOMMUNITY FUND SUPPORT | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| William Jewell CollegeCONSTRUCT LINK ACADEMIC BUILDING | Liberty, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Compass HealthBROADWAY CAMPUS PHASE II PROJECT | Raymore, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Rockhurst UniversityCONSTRUCT ALVIN BROOKS CENTER FOR FAITH JUSTICE | Kansas City, MO | $2M | 2022 |
| Swope Health ServicesCONSTRUCT PACE KC WELLNESS CENTER | Kansas City, MO | $1.5M | 2022 |
| Mental Health Innovation FoundationCONSTRUCT MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | Omaha, NE | $1.5M | 2022 |
| Northwest HarvestPRIMARY DISTRIBUTION CENTER RELOCATION | Spokane Valley, WA | $1.5M | 2022 |
| Center For Developmentally DisabledCONSTRUCT ACCESSIBLE HOUSING | Kansas City, MO | $1.5M | 2022 |
| Midwest Foster Care & Adoption AssociationWYANDOTTE COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER RENOVATION | Independence, MO | $1.1M | 2022 |
| Nelson Atkins Museum Of ArtPARKING LOT REPAIR PROJECT | Kansas City, MO | $1M | 2022 |
| University Of Nebraska Foundation2022 DONATION - CONSTRUCT COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING BUILDING | Lincoln, NE | $1M | 2022 |
| United Way Of King CountyCOMMUNITY PROJECT SUPPORT | Seattle, WA | $1M | 2022 |
| Cloud County Community CollegeCONSTRUCT TECHNICAL EDUCATION & INNOVATION CENTER | Concordia, KS | $1M | 2022 |
| Ymca Of Greater Kansas CityCONSTRUCT KIRK FAMILY YMCA DOWNTOWN FACILITY | Kansas City, MO | $1M | 2022 |
| Micah House CorporationCONSTRUCT NEW CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER/SHELTER | Council Bluffs, IA | $1M | 2022 |
| Northwest Arkansas Food BankCONSTRUCT CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION FACILITY | Springdale, AR | $1M | 2022 |