Be part of something special and help raise more than we ever imagined!
We're having an incredible Big Day of Giving!
$20K Goal...Crushed! Dutch Bros Coffee Match... Secured! Impact... Just Beginning!
Our friends at Dutch Bros Coffee matched every dollar donated to the Hillmen Foundation starting on April 17th up to $10,000, doubling support and raising $20,000 for Placer High School’s students, programs, and community. Thanks to Dutch Bros Coffee's generosity and our amazing early donors, we not only hit but surpassed that milestone before the big day even began. But we still need you!
Even though we surpassed our matching goal, we need you to help us keep going! Each year, the Hillmen Foundation gives back at least $50,000 in direct grants and other funding to enrich the learning environment at Placer High. We can't stop when we still have important projects to fund at Placer High!
Your donation helps bridge critical funding gaps, enhance academics, athletics, and student activities, provide scholarships, and improve facilities that benefit the entire Auburn community. The more we raise, the more we can do!
As an all-volunteer organization, 100% of your gift funds our mission to enrich the learning environment at our historic 128-year-old high school. Since 1989, the Hillmen Foundation has invested more than $1 million to date into Placer High through scholarships and grants - from classroom technology and science equipment to music, arts, athletics, and vocational training. We cannot do it without the generosity of people like YOU - our alumni, faculty and staff, families, and fans.
Your support fuels this legacy, ensuring current and future generations have the resources to succeed.
Thank You for Kicking Off Early Giving With Us!
Thank you to all who joined us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at The Station Public House in Auburn to celebrate the start of early giving! You helped lay the foundation for what is a wildly successful Big Day of Giving for the Hillmen Foundation and Placer High School. More than $5,000 was raised in just a couple of hours to enrich academics, athletics and student activities. Special thanks to Tim Stafford for providing the live music that made the party atmosphere all the more fun!
Your support still makes a difference now until 11:59 pm on May 1 through this page, by dropping of a gift at the Placer High School office (275 Orange Street), or mailing a check to the Hillmen Foundation, P.O. Box 6115, Auburn, CA 95604. Through our website, you can also give a one-time gift or recurring donation to make a gift of significance more affordable. Learn more at:
For more about the impact of the Hillmen Foundation and Placer High School on generations of students and families, visit our website at hillmenfoundation.org. And remember...whether a graduate, parent, faculty, or fan...
Where Our Donors Make A Difference!
The purpose of the Hillmen Foundation is to support Placer High School in the areas of academics, student activities, and athletics. This includes the staff, students, and alumni endeavors of the school. Additionally, the Hillmen Foundation seeks to stimulate gifts of service, endowments, and bequests, and to maintain an association of persons interested in Placer High School.
The Hillmen Foundation has launched a campaign to increase its overall impact to more than $1.3 million by 2027 (the school's 130th anniversary). To date, we've raised more than $1 million but still need support to achieve our goal. This will allow the Foundation to increase grants and support for:
Academics:
Central to the Hillmen Foundation's mission is ensuring that our students, faculty and staff have the resources they need to enhance student learning. Our classroom and career tech grants and initiatives often bridge the gap between education funding and what students need to excel in a 21st century learning environment. Examples of academic grants include: DNA lab and enhanced resources for Science Dept; specialized math materials and equipment; technology: 3D printers, computers, scanners, microprocessor kits, etc.; Career Tech programs and equipment, such as welding machines, photo lab, etc.; Performing and Visual Arts Dept. programs and equipment; English Dept. literature and writing programs; support for at-risk youth; music instruments and band uniforms; Peer Counseling; World Language programs; AVID Program; multi-media/film program; and much more. All students benefit from the philanthropic support of our donors towards our Academic grants.
Activities:
An exceptional education is a synergy between the classroom and outside activities. Our activities grants support a wide breadth of programs, including student clubs (such as FFA, service clubs, etc.), new student orientation, assemblies, special events, field trips, Grad Night, Eagle Scout projects, community service projects, outreach to middle and elementary students, and much more. Donors interested in enriching student activities outside of the classroom are encouraged to support the Hillmen Foundation.
Athletics:
Hillmen pride is embodied in a long and storied history of athletic accomplishments. Our athletics grants help provide the equipment and improvements needed to encourage safe development of our student athletes, upgrade facilities for both athletes and fans, and support lifelong fitness in our community. Athletic grants benefit Placer High athletes with general funding for the department, as well as special grants for a multitude of needs by various competitive teams.
Scholarships:
Each year, thousands of dollars are granted to graduating seniors to help further their post-high school pursuits. The Hillmen Foundation manages several endowments established by alumni and community members to provide scholarships that honor or memorialize those who have made an impact on the school and community.
We also raise funds for three scholarships sponsored by the Hillmen Foundation:
- The Hillmen Foundation Covich Johnson Founders Scholarship awarded to an outstanding senior in honor of our founders, Jug Covich and Tom Johnson; and
- Two Hillmen Foundation scholarships for exceptional graduating students who have excelled in at least one of our focus areas of academics, athletics and activities.
In 2025, Placer High students will have access to more than $30,000 through approximately 25 endowed and Foundation-sponsored scholarship opportunities. Donors are invited to help students further their academic and career opportunities by contributing to an existing scholarship or opening an endowed scholarship that can honor or memorialize a loved one or family.
Capital Improvements and Major Initiatives:
Special grants for capital improvements or other major initiatives that enhance both the school and community are a significant hallmark of the Foundation's work over the past three decades. Currently, we are helping Placer High raise funds for upgraded lighting structure in the Placer High Auditorium (also used by community groups), as well as electronic signage that can add to communications and promotion of school activities and accomplishments. Examples of past grants include: Athletic Complex campaign support; All-Weather Track used by students and community organizations, such as the renowned Western States 100 Race; Stadium scoreboard, sound system and lighting (all used by both the school and community); and the new Alumni Center and snack bar (used to help fund multiple sports) in the historic Earl Crabbe Gym.
Organization name
Hillmen Foundation
1989
Tax id (EIN)
68-0168995
Mission Category
Education
Operating Budget
$50,001 - $100,000
Organization Need
Funding: Program, Funding: Other
Demographics Served
General population
Local Counties Served
Placer
Address
PO Box 6115Placer County, CA, US
Auburn, CA, US