Donor Recognition
Leadership Giving Circles | Annual Reports
We deeply value the generous donors who help make the challenging, invigorating Avery Coonley experience possible.
All donors are recognized in the Avery Coonley Annual Report and through our giving circles.
Leadership Giving Circles
The ACS Leadership Giving Circles were established to honor the rich history, traditions, and founding leaders of The Avery Coonley School. Gifts of any amount help us reach our goals, show your support for our school, and are greatly appreciated.
Elizabeth Coonley Circle, $10,000 and above
Elizabeth Coonley was the only child of Avery and Queene Ferry Coonley and was the first student of the school.
Jens Jensen Circle, $7,500 to $9,999
Jens Jensen, the famed landscape architect and naturalist, designed the School grounds including the stunning rock pond garden.
Waldron Faulkner Circle, $5,000 to $7,499
Avery and Queene’s son-in-law, Waldron Faulkner, created the 1929 school building as one of his first architectural projects.
Henry Chapman Mercer Circle, $2,500 to $4,999
Henry Chapman Mercer developed the fireplace and floor tiles and the Cloister triptych that give the School much of its character and beauty.
Lucia Burton Morse Circle, $1,000 to $2,499
Lucia Burton Morse was the first head of school and worked closely with Mrs. Coonley for over 30 years.
Maple Tappers Circle, $500 to $999
The maple tapping tradition dates back to the earliest days of the School and is one of the fondest memories of many alumni.
Bell Ringers Circle, $250 to $499
The Ringing of the Bell has signaled the start of a new school day for decades.
Cloister Circle, Up to $249
The Cloister is the physical and symbolic center of the school, a place of both serenity and action.
The 1906 Legacy Circles
The 1906 Legacy Circles celebrate those extraordinary donors who have given a gift to ACS — of any amount and to any fund — for four or more consecutive years. Named in honor of the year our school was founded, the 1906 Legacy Circles recognize donors through three levels of giving milestones, each named for a setting in our school’s rich history.
The longer you give, the greater your impact and legacy!
Maple Grove Circle, 15+ Years of Consecutive Giving
Recognizing the school's historical setting, The Maple Grove Circle celebrates donors who give for 15 or more consecutive years. Adjacent to the Maple Grove Forest Preserve, Mrs. Coonley chose the school's current location to create an open, comfortable learning environment that is in harmony with its natural setting. With its opening in 1929, the school was renamed The Avery Coonley School.
Coonley Playhouse Circle, 9-14 Years of Consecutive Giving
The Coonley Playhouse Circle celebrates donors who give for 9 to 14 consecutive years. The now-famous Coonley Playhouse was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1912 to accommodate the growth of The Cottage School.
Riverside Circle, 4-8 Years of Consecutive Giving
The Riverside Circle celebrates donors who give for 4 to 8 consecutive years. Riverside, Illinois was home to the school’s first setting, known then as The Cottage School. Queene Ferry Coonley founded the school in 1906 on her estate as she sought to expand educational opportunities for her four-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.
To participate, simply:
- Make a gift of any amount, and
- Give every fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
Annual Reports
Our Annual Reports are included in the ACS Magazine so that we can share with the community in-depth stories on all our generous donors have made possible.
