Giving Opportunities

ACS Fund | Endowment Funds | Memorial Funds | Library Birthday Club

Together we are more.

Our experiential, collaborative learning. Our accelerated and enriched curriculum. Our deeply committed faculty and inspiring graduates. They are only possible because dedicated donors like you come together to back up our belief that our children can’t wait.

We know that many families make sacrifices to keep their children here. We respect that by stewarding our resources wisely and making great efforts to keep tuition as low as possible.

Gifts to the ACS Fund provide the resources needed to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our students.

The ACS Fund

The ACS Fund – our annual giving – is a critical component of a true educational experience at Avery Coonley. The ACS Fund supports specific enhancements to the school and helps close the gap between the full cost of an Avery Coonley education and the revenue generated from tuition. In the 2023-24 school year, money raised through the ACS Fund will be used to enhance the following areas:

ACADEMICS: Your gift directly supports the ACS classroom experience, where small groups of high achieving students, dedicated faculty, and an innovative curriculum come together in a journey of discovery and intellectual growth.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: Your gift supports our broad-reaching student services, that help students navigate interactions in and outside the classroom and support the whole child. Services include health, Social-Emotional Learning, counseling, the Middle School advisory program, and learning specialists.

TECHNOLOGY: Your gift supports advancements in technology, design, and innovation that are essential to the student experience at Avery Coonley. Funds will ensure the successful implementation of high-quality educational programs in the STE(A)M fields, allowing ACS students to collaborate with classmates in new and creative ways.

FINE ARTS: Your gift supports our comprehensive arts program, where activities are as varied as drawing scientific illustrations, performing songs from a culture being studied, and producing a full-length play to name but a few. With a full curriculum in the visual arts, music, and drama, your support will enable us to expand upon the curriculum and let our imaginations soar.

Our goal this year is to raise at least $400,000 in unrestricted funds to support these investments. 10% of the ACS Fund will also be used to support The ACS General Endowment, which helps sustain the school in perpetuity.

All members of the ACS community are encouraged to participate between July 1 and June 30. Donations at any level are greatly appreciated and show your support for our students and our school. Gifts to the ACS Fund are 100% tax-deductible to the extent of the law, and donations at any level are a vital way to show support for our students and the school.

Gifts Of All Sizes Make a Difference

Check to see if your company has a matching gift program to double or triple the impact of your gift!

LEaderShip giving

Give now

Auction

Endowment Funds

An independent school should have an endowment that is at least equal to the annual operating budget, which for The Avery Coonley School would mean an endowment of around $7 million. Progress toward this goal is an important initiative of the School's strategic plan.

Endowment gifts provide financial stability so Avery Coonley can continue to serve students far into the future. Only the investment income from the endowment is used so the principal can continue to grow. Gifts to each endowment fund and earnings on those gifts are permanently restricted to be used only for the intended purpose as described below.

The General Endowment Fund

The General Endowment Fund

This fund supports a wide range of needs at the School and gives the administration flexibility in allocating resources to meet current and future needs, both operating and capital. The investment earnings of this fund are of great value, as they can be used for the School's operating budget and can support classroom and facility improvements, technological enhancements, academic programming, and other areas of continuing need.

Give Now

The Professional Growth Endowment Fund

The Professional Growth Endowment Fund

Formerly named the Faculty Endowment Fund, this provides vital resources for the ongoing professional development of the School’s faculty. Donations to this fund represent a significant investment in education at Avery Coonley by giving faculty the opportunity to pursue engaging and challenging experiences that will contribute to their professional development. A healthy Professional Growth Endowment Fund is a beacon for all to see that the School is committed to excellence in teaching and to attracting and retaining faculty of the highest quality.

Give Now

The Financial Aid Endowment Fund

The Financial Aid Endowment Fund

This fund supports Avery Coonley’s commitment to extend access to qualified students of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. ACS has a long-established program of financial aid to support families with academically qualified students who would be unable to attend the School without assistance. As tuition increases, the need for financial aid grows. A strong endowment for financial aid will ensure that Avery Coonley maintains its commitment to diversity and its ability to attract and enroll the most qualified students.

Give Now

We are deeply indebted to the incredible foundational support of Queene Ferry Coonley and of countless other parents through the decades past who have sustained this wonderful community so that it could be here for our children. This is why we have contributed to the school’s annual giving fund, the ACS Fund, every year.

Neal and Jen Reenan

Memorial Funds

Several memorial funds have been set up at The Avery Coonley School to provide scholarships and support the academic experience while remembering treasured members of our community.

The Patricia Huebner Memorial Scholarship
The Avery Coonley – Dennis Murphy Memorial Fund

The Patricia Huebner Memorial Scholarship

This fund was established in 2019 to provide support for ACS students who qualify for significant financial aid from the School. Contributions help cover the costs of materials, fees, special events, class activities, and trips for students who might not otherwise be able to afford them.

Pat had a 36-year career in education and was a longtime member of the ACS community, joining as a counselor/coordinator of student services in 1989. During her 11 years working at Avery Coonley, she took on many roles, including assistant head and dean of students. She left Avery Coonley to become the director of guidance/counseling and social work at Hinsdale Central High School.

Pat served as a member of the ACS Board of Trustees from 2006–16 and then as an honorary trustee. She was also a member of the ACS Alumni Council. Many students remember Pat’s kindness and compassion for them. She continually gave to generations of ACS families through her enthusiasm, generosity, and commitment to ACS’s mission.

Give Now

The Avery Coonley – Dennis Murphy Memorial Fund

This fund supports student education as well as educational trips, including the Group Seven trip to Washington, D.C.

Dennis was the husband of retired Middle School social studies teacher Deborah Murphy and the father of Kristin Murphy Scherago ’87 and Laura Murphy Ferri ’89. Mr. Murphy was also a beloved substitute teacher at The Avery Coonley School, subbing a remarkable 422 days in a variety of subjects. His enthusiasm, joy, and sincere care for each individual made him a favorite substitute at Avery Coonley. Students were always excited to see “Mr. Murphy”; some even declared him “the nicest man in the world,” an unofficial title that he received with his typical grace and humility.

Dennis also accompanied Debbie and her Group Seven students on their annual trip to Washington, D.C., on several occasions. He enjoyed getting to know the students and parent chaperones outside the classroom and was able to share his love for American history as well as his considerable talents as a tour guide and host.

Give Now

Library Birthday Club

The ACS Library Birthday Fund supports the library collection of books and e-books for both recreational reading and research. This tradition dates to the first years of Avery Coonley under the leadership of Queene Ferry Coonley. Today we carry on her belief: what better gift to give but a book to be shared by others. Students also enjoy seeing their names on the bookplates in recognition of their birthdays!

Give Now

Share Your Time

The Home and School Association organizes and sponsors popular activities and events such as the Fun Run, Fall Fest, Artsonia, and Student Enrichment Events. We are always looking for help—and it’s a wonderful way to meet other families!

Learn More

*The Avery Coonley School is an IRS-approved 501c3 tax-exempt organization. Our Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) is 36-2171680. All gifts are gratefully received and are acknowledged with a letter and receipt for your tax records. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law.