Parishioners and church leaders are disgusted, saying the thieves violated a sacred place of worship.
Burglars broke doors and windows, leaving the Minster littered with glass and causing thousands of pounds-worth of damage.
They tried to get into a safe at the city-centre church, before making off with cash from charity collecting tins and a laptop computer.
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The raid happened just hours after a charity concert for special schools in Sunderland, and the cash had been collected to help charities in the city.
Children from Springwell Dene School were left broken-hearted after the thieves stole four guitars - worth £2,000 - which they had left behind.
Disgusted Reverend Martin Anderson, team vicar at Sunderland Minster, said: "A sacred space has been violated.
"They've done a tremendous amount of damage. I'm upset and confused at what feels like an attack on a public building which is used for the benefit of the community of Sunderland.
"The minster is a public place that has a good reputation in the city. It is a place where people can feel welcome - a place of learning, a place of prayer."
The break-in happened between 9.30pm on Thursday and 8am on Friday, when it was discovered by a worker at the minster's cafe.
Five Sunderland special schools - Springwell Dene, Columbia Grange, Sunningdale, Barbara Priestman and Castlegreen - had taken part in the charity concert in aid of children's hospice appeal, Chin-Up, on Thursday evening.
Dorothy Mitchell, headteacher at Springwell Dene School, said: "We are furious, disappointed and shocked. They are just heartless, wicked people. They rampaged through the building wrecking things.
"The children are outraged and horrified."
She added: "We put the concert together to include these children with special needs in the Christmas message. We got the most prestigious church in Sunderland - it was wonderful to get it.
"It's the first time we've done this but next year we probably won't be able to use the minster."
The school has had to use its funds to buy new guitars because it has two community carols concerts planned for next week, at the school on Monday and in The Bridges shopping centre on Tuesday.
Rev Anderson said it appeared that the thieves broke in through a fire door on the north side of the minster, opposite the Empire Theatre.
He said: "They've broken glass windows to the coffee shop - there was broken glass all over the church. They've broken the door into the computer centre and into the sacristy.
"They've damaged the locks and broken the door down in the office and the filing cabinets have been broken up."
The burglary happened during the minster's busy Christmas programme.
Rev Anderson said: "We have the coffee shop, City of Sunderland College computer learning centre and the building is also used for functions in addition to public worship.
"At this time of year, we've got lots of carol services."
Anyone with information should contact Sunderland CID, tel: 454 7555.