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Union Station Receives Transformational $5 Million Grant from the Sunderland Foundation

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Directed Toward Multiple Preservation and Renovation Projects, Grant Helps Keep Historic Union Station Campus in Top Condition for Years to Come

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 27, 2021) – Today, Union Station officials announced a transformational grant of $5 million from the Sunderland Foundation supporting a number of important preservation and renovation projects across the Station’s 18-acre historic campus. From parking lots, public restroom modernization, historic floor preservation to repair and restoration of our historic ceilings and so much more.

“With our deepest appreciation, we recognize the Sunderland Foundation for their continued belief in, and substantial support of Union Station, Kansas City’s iconic monument with multiple award-winning attractions,” George Guastello, Union Station president and CEO, said.  “With their generosity, we’re able to move forward confidently with a multitude of important renovation and preservation projects, both large and small. This type of investment by the Sunderland Foundation is hugely consequential, as it puts Kansas City’s visual voice – recognized around the world – in great shape as our community and region return to out-of-home events and adventures.”

Established in 1945, the Sunderland Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves by investing in places and spaces where nonprofits do their work – places where young minds grow and thrive, and where communities come together for celebration and inspiration. With over 2 million guests annually (pre-pandemic), Union Station and its multiple award-winning attractions serve as these places for the people of Kansas City and beyond.

“The Sunderland Foundation is proud to be a long-time supporter of Union Station and its commitment to generations of Kansas Citians,” Randy Vance, Sunderland Foundation president & COO, said.  “This is an investment in our community and in the physical place in which so many of us have built a lifetime of memories.  As Union Station opens its arms to welcome all parts of our diverse and dynamic community, we are pleased to help ensure that welcome includes a carefully preserved, restored and beautifully maintained physical presence.”

In March of 2020, as the City, Nation and World anxiously responded to the onset of COVID, Union Station officials and staff pivoted to ensure financial risk was minimized and the iconic campus was protected for guests when they were ready to return.

And return they did, in record fashion.  Those careful fiscal and preservation strategies, powered in part with generous support like that from the Sunderland Foundation, helped the Station not only survive, but thrive during COVID.  Indeed, the now-and-forever approach Station officials took instilled great confidence that first and last impressions of every Union Station guest will be ones of amazement and pride, just as it was when the Station first opened 107 years ago.

Union Station – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization – funds ongoing operations with earned income from our various attractions and operations as well as with the generous support of corporations, foundations and individual donors and members.

To support Union Station’s ongoing preservation efforts, please contact Christy Nitsche, Director of Advancement and Community Engagement, at [email protected].

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ABOUT Union Station Kansas City – a 501(c)3 non-profit organization –is a 107-year-old historical landmark and celebrated civic asset renovated and reopened to the public in 1999. Recently awarded “Favorite Attraction”, “Favorite Family-Friendly Attraction” and “Favorite Historic Attraction”, the organization – dedicated to science education, celebration of community and preservation of history – is home to Kansas City’s internationally-awarded Science City; the new Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium; the Regnier Extreme Screen Theatre; the popular Model Train Gallery; City Stage featuring live theater, and a selection of unique shops and restaurants. Union Station is also home to prominent area civic organizations and businesses, and regularly hosts world-class traveling exhibitions. Awarded “Top Banquet Facilities in KC” by KC Business Journal, the facility annually hosts hundreds of community events and private celebrations of all sizes. Also, follow us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and YOUTUBE.

Union Station Contact:
Michael Tritt | C: 913.219.6890 [email protected]