Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, is a growing community with a strong school system—and a strong support network behind it. To sustain that growth and provide first-class facilities for students, Sun Prairie’s three high schools—East, West, and Phoenix Academy—needed to raise funds. That’s where donor walls came in.

Each school wanted to create a prominent, visually engaging installation that would:

• Recognize donors at varying contribution levels
• Encourage new donations by showcasing space still available
• Withstand years of wear (and occasional student-related run-ins)
• Allow for easy, ongoing updates as new donors came onboard

For Thysse, that meant a unique design and fabrication approach for each location—especially since two of the three were retrofits with pre-existing wall conditions, and only one was new construction.

Thysse’s Experiential Design team worked with Sun Prairie to develop a three-part donor wall series—each one anchored by the school’s mascot:

• The Cardinal for Sun Prairie East
• The Wolf for Sun Prairie West
• The Phoenix for Phoenix Academy

These weren’t just graphic panels—they were three-dimensional lit mascot heads mounted prominently on each wall. Donor names were displayed on adjacent acrylic tiles, organized geometrically into tiers that correspond to donation levels: $2,500 to $50,000.

Each wall was built to accommodate new donor additions on an ongoing basis. That meant designing with growth in mind:

• Pre-cut acrylic tiles are held in reserve.
• New donor names are applied via die-cut vinyl.
• A detailed digital map tracks tile placement and available space.
• Install is as simple as peeling VHB tape and placing the tile on site.

“We keep a map of where every donor is placed,” Kris says. “It sounds funny, but people get particular. 'I want to be next to my friend.' Or they want a certain spot that's already taken. We manage it like a seating chart.”

In at least one case, donors have tried to move things themselves, removing tiles and causing wall damage—a reminder of how personal and emotional these spaces can be.

“It’s all about the kids,” Kris laughs. “But also—don’t rip the wall apart! If you want to be moved, call us. We’ll help you.”

Each installation required unique considerations based on existing site conditions:

• Phoenix Academy's wall was retrofitted onto concrete block, which required building a custom aluminum box to mount the mascot head and house wiring.
• The other two schools presented unique dimensional and logistical challenges tied to cost, durability, and install access.

Tile additions are typically batched to manage labor and cost efficiently. The system balances aesthetics, longevity, and ease of expansion—no small feat given the public nature of the walls and their placement in high-traffic school corridors.

More than just signage, these donor walls function as community-building tools:

• They showcase school pride.
• They make fundraising tangible.
• And they give every donor a place in the story of Sun Prairie’s continued growth.

While each wall is visually distinct, the underlying strategy is the same: recognize generosity, invite participation, and leave room to grow.

And when Phase 2 comes along—with more tiles, more stories, and perhaps even more mascots—Thysse will be ready to install them, one by one.