Our Spend-Out
The Sunderland Foundation is initiating a planned spend-out of a significant portion of its assets in Greater Kansas City, its origin city, by 2030. By accelerating its giving, the Foundation can more effectively and immediately invest philanthropic dollars in organizations making a meaningful impact on some of the community’s most urgent needs.
To our nonprofit and philanthropic partners,
For five generations, The Sunderland Foundation has been our family’s way of giving back to the communities that supported the Ash Grove Cement Company. Lester T. Sunderland established the Foundation in 1945 while president of Ash Grove. He envisioned the Foundation as a way to invest in the people and places that supported the business. As Ash Grove expanded, the Foundation grew alongside it, awarding more than $1 billion over its lifetime to organizations across the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest.
After thoughtful reflection about the future of the Foundation, our trustees have made the decision to initiate a planned spend-out of the Foundation’s remaining assets by 2030. We will focus our resources on the Greater Kansas City area, returning to the community where the Foundation began. We believe that by accelerating our giving, the Foundation can provide more effective and meaningful support to organizations making a lasting impact on some of the community’s most urgent needs.
As part of executing the spend-out, we will move to an invitation-only grantmaking approach. This will allow us to steward remaining funds with care while supporting organizations working across our five strategic priority areas: housing affordability, youth development, health and behavioral health, economic stability and select legacy relationships previously supported by the Foundation. While historically we have focused on funding capital building projects, we look forward to considering a broader range of initiatives in alignment with these strategic priority areas. A portion of assets will be stewarded by individual trustees in alignment with the trustees’ philanthropic initiatives.
This planned spend-out is an intentional evolution of our grantmaking. It is designed to accelerate our impact by putting a significant portion of our assets in the hands of trusted partners whose on-the-ground expertise can foster meaningful change for Greater Kansas City, now and into the future.
We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to support our community and look forward to the important work our partners will continue to lead in building a stronger Greater Kansas City for everyone who calls it home.
Sincerely,
The Sunderland Foundation Trustees
FAQ
Review these frequently asked questions to learn more about the Foundation’s planned spend-out and what it means for our non-profit and philanthropic partners
Why is the Foundation accelerating its grantmaking now?
The Foundation is accelerating its grantmaking so our resources can more effectively and immediately support the Greater Kansas City area, investing in organizations addressing today’s most urgent needs and creating impact across the region.
What does “spend-out” mean?
The Foundation will distribute all of its charitable funds by 2030, placing them into the hands of local organizations making a meaningful impact in the community. The term “spend-out” emphasizes that while the funds are being released from the Foundation’s ownership, they will continue to have impact in the hands of those that steward them in Kansas City for many years to come.
Is the Sunderland Foundation closing?
Yes. The Foundation plans to complete the spend out by 2030 and will close its doors.
How does this decision reflect the Foundation’s mission and values?
By accelerating our giving in the Greater Kansas City area, we are honoring our mission to support those most in need in the community where the Foundation first began. Our concentration of resources allows us to honor the expertise and on-the-ground experience of nonprofit organizations to catalyze the greatest benefit for the Greater Kansas City community.
What does “invitation-only” grantmaking mean in practice?
“Invitation-only” grantmaking means the Foundation will reach out to select organizations whose mission aligns with our five strategic funding focus areas. These include affordable housing, youth development, health and behavioral health, economic stability and select legacy relationships previously supported by the Foundation.
How does this affect my active grant?
The Foundation will honor all pre-existing commitments. As the spend-out progresses, future funding will occur through this invitation-only process.
Are you still accepting new applications?
No, the Foundation is no longer accepting grant applications. Moving forward, funding will be awarded through an invitation-only process.