Sunderland Foundation Gives to LCC Campaign

Parsons, KS- Labette Community College announced a $150,000 gift from The Sunderland Foundation of Overland Park, Kansas that will provide significant support for LCC’s Pathways to the Future Capital Campaign to renovate and expand the college athletic facilities. This gift is the second grant the Sunderland Foundation has given in support of this project. In 2017, they were one of the first donors to the project by giving a $100,000 grant. 

“We are pleased to be able to support Labette Community College and wish the college every success,” said J. Randall Vance, President and COO of the Sunderland Foundation. 

“The continued support of the Sunderland Foundation for our college is tremendous,” said LCC Foundation Executive Director, Lindi Forbes. “This gift continues the upward movement in completing our campaign and focusing on our students.”

The Sunderland Foundation was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as president of the Ash Grove Cement Co. for 33 years as a highly respected leader in the cement industry. Since its inception, the Foundation, which is still led by Lester T. Sunderland’s descendants, has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Co., including Central Texas. Areas of interest include higher education, youth serving agencies, health facilities, community buildings, museums, civic projects and energy efficient affordable housing projects sponsored by qualified tax-exempt organizations. In 2018, the Foundation awarded more than $48 million to more than 45 educational organizations, including community colleges, private colleges and public universities.