Be part of something special and help raise more than we ever imagined!
Rarely can one gift make such a lasting impact. But this year, it will go twice as far! Thanks to Dutch Bros Coffee and an anonymous donor, every dollar donated to the Hillmen Foundation through Big Day of Giving, April 23-May 7, will be matched up to $15,000, doubling your support for Placer High School’s students, programs, and community. And we have some new Big News!
đź’Ł The "Let's Blow Past the Goal" Challenge! đź’Ą
Just when the momentum couldn’t get stronger, a new anonymous donor has stepped forward with an additional $2,500 matching gift to help the Hillmen Foundation not only reach, but blow past our $30,000 goal and push to at least $35,000!
This challenge was created for one reason: to inspire our community to finish strong, reward all donors by doubling their gift, and take the Hillmen Foundation to the next level by raising more than we ever have during Big Day of Giving.
We’re within reach of something special, but we need your help to get there.
Your donation helps bridge critical funding gaps, enhance academics, athletics, and student activities, provide scholarships, and improve facilities that benefit the entire Auburn community.
Gifts as little as $10 will help unlock matching funds for our vital grants program and Foundation scholarships. Even if you decide to designate your gift to a specific department, program, team, or club, matching funds will be released to support Foundation programs benefiting Placer High, still doubling your impact. Plus, the program you support can apply for additional Foundation funding through our grant application process.
💛 Golden1 Credit Union Members can increase their impact with a gift to the Hillmen Foundation April 23 through Big Day of Giving on May 7. Simply use your Golden1 credit or debit card and they will proportionally match your gift to the Hillmen Foundation. Plus, your gift also will be matched by the Hillmen Foundation’s challenge gift donors.
Since 1989, the Hillmen Foundation has invested more than $1.1 million into Placer High through scholarships and grants—from classroom technology and science equipment to music, arts, athletics, and vocational training. Each year, the Hillmen Foundation gives back nearly $100,000 in scholarships and grants. But the need continues to grow. We are on track to top that number by the end of this school year. We can't do it without YOU! As an all-volunteer organization, 100% of your gift funds our mission to enrich the learning environment and support students at our nearly 130-year-old high school.
Your support fuels this legacy, ensuring current and future generations have the resources to succeed.
Big Day of Giving Kickoff Party a Huge Success!
Thank you to all who joined us on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at The Station Public House in Auburn to celebrate the start of early giving! Between our guests and early donations, we raised $8,898 through the first weekend of giving. Those gifts were then matched by our generous partners to total $17,796 or 59% of our $30,000 goal. Wow! The party turned into a mini all-class reunion and community celebration. It was such a blast! Special thanks to the team at The Station for a fabulous venue to kick off Big Day of Giving!
We still have a ways to go! Help keep up the good work by giving on or before May 7, 2026. Go Hillmen!
It’s Easy to Make a Difference!
Your support makes a difference and now it will double! Give now through May 7 via this page, at hillmenfoundation.org, by dropping off a gift at the Placer High School office, or mailing a check to the Hillmen Foundation at P.O. Box 6115, Auburn, CA 95604. All gifts are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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...
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 given back more than $1.1 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 2026, Placer High students will have access to more than $40,000 through more than 30 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. 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 Alumni Center and snack bar (used to help fund multiple sports) and sound system in the historic Earl Crabbe Gym.
Organization name
Hillmen Foundation
1989
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