Impact Report: The Hillmen Foundation Surpasses $1 Million in Grants and Scholarships for Placer High School

Placer High School has stood as a vital part of Auburn's history for over 127 years, shaping generations of students and anchoring the community through education, athletics, and extra curricular activities. Today, the bond between school and community remains stronger than ever, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Hillmen Foundation and generosity of our amazing donors. Founded in 1989, the foundation celebrates its 35th anniversary this year by surpassing a remarkable milestone: awarding over $1 million in grants and scholarships to enhance the student experience at Placer High.

This achievement is a testament to the vision of the foundation’s founders, Jug Covich and Tom Johnson, who sought to create a sustainable way for alumni, faculty, parents, and community members to give back and help bridge critical funding gaps. Over three decades later, the Hillmen Foundation remains committed to its mission of strengthening academics, athletics, and student activities at Placer High School. As we look back on this legacy of generosity, we also celebrate the extraordinary impact this support continues to have on the school and the Greater Auburn community.

Fostering Academic Excellence

At the core of the Hillmen Foundation’s work is a dedication to enhancing academic programs and opportunities. Through its grants program, the foundation invests directly in initiatives that make learning dynamic and engaging for students. Whether it’s funding new classroom tools, experiential learning programs, or teacher-led projects, these grants ensure that students receive the resources they need to thrive in an evolving educational landscape.

As an independent non-profit organization, the foundation is able to respond to identifying and addressing emerging needs, from technological upgrades to expanded course offerings. This targeted support ensures Placer High School remains a hub of academic excellence, fostering intellectual curiosity and empowering students to achieve their full potential.

In the 2023-24 school year, the foundation provided more than $18,174 solely to programs and projects that enhance the academic environment. These included several field trips for hands-on learning, supplies for the Learning Commons (library), store supplies for the Special Ed Life Skills class, science materials for the DNA lab, specialized calculators for the Math Department, game library for the new Game Design Career Tech Education Class, and supplemental curriculum subscription for the Social Science Department.

Supporting Athletics and Community Health

The Hillmen Foundation recognizes that athletics are more than just games—they build discipline, teamwork, and community pride. Over the years, the foundation has invested in upgrading sports facilities like the all-weather track, stadium lights, tennis courts, and gymnasium, ensuring students have access to first-class equipment and opportunities to compete.

These improvements extend beyond the field, as the facilities also serve as community assets, promoting health and well-being among Auburn residents. From track meets to neighborhood pick-up games, these spaces foster fitness, connection, and unity throughout the region.

The 2023-24 school year contributed $15,899 to the Athletics Department. Funding benefited the girls basketball program, new football helmets when the number of frosh players unexpectedly surpassed the amount of available helmets, new golf bags for the girls and boys golf teams, equipment for the Placer Swim Team Boosters, and a new scorers table for the Earl Crabbe Gym to be used by multiple sports.

Enriching Student Activities for Well-Rounded Education

The Hillmen Foundation believes that learning extends beyond the classroom. That’s why it provides funding for a wide range of student activities and programs—from performing arts and leadership clubs to graduation celebrations and student orientation. These extracurricular opportunities help students discover their passions, develop new skills, and create lasting memories.

Whether it’s funding the arts or supporting student clubs, the foundation ensures that every Hillman has the opportunity to explore, grow, and succeed. During the last school year, more than $18,058 went to support Placer’s Grad Night festivities, VAULT peer mentoring program and orientation activities, Key Club, auditorium sound system in partnership with the Auburn Host Lions Club, transportation for students to attend the Placer Co. Youth in Government Day, support the development of a new Auburn history mural (to be unveiled soon!), and send leadership advisors from various clubs to an important conference about developing student leaders.

Empowering Futures Through Scholarships

A key part of the Hillmen Foundation’s mission is to help students pursue their dreams after graduation. Over the years, the foundation has awarded numerous scholarships, including endowed and community-sponsored scholarships, as well as three funded directly by the foundation.

By investing in the education of Placer High seniors, these scholarships provide critical financial support, helping students pursue college, trade programs, or technical education—unlocking opportunities they might not otherwise have. This commitment to student success reflects the foundation’s belief that investing in youth today creates a stronger community tomorrow.

Last year, 20 Placer graduates received a total of $31,000 from community and foundation-funded scholarships. This brings the total support over the years from all foundation-managed scholarships to $291,725 to support Placer High graduates and their future endeavors.

Surpassing $1 Million: A Milestone of Generosity and Impact

This year’s milestone of surpassing $1 million in grants and scholarships represents more than just numbers—it reflects the generosity of countless donors, alumni, and businesses who believe in the mission of the Hillmen Foundation. Every dollar contributed by the community strengthens Placer High, ensuring it remains a place of growth, opportunity, and pride. Over the 2023-24 school year, the Hillmen Foundation provided $83,132 in grants, other funding, and scholarships, bringing the foundation’s total impact over the years to $983,444, as of June 30, 2024.

But we didn’t stop there! The $1 million milestone was achieved this Fall with our first quarter grant awards and special funding totaling almost $19,000 to date. This includes $10,000 from the Taco Bell Foundation to support Placer High’s Vault Program, designed to inspire and teach student leadership, team building, and problem solving by addressing the mental health, emotional, and cultural barriers that can prevent students from excelling in high school and beyond.

Our 2024 first-quarter grants and funding kicked off the new school year with support for stage lighting upgrades in the auditorium theater, Wellness Center furnishings, new canopy for the Cross Country Boosters, BDOG funding for Placer Swimming Boosters and Placer Music Boosters, and a new amplifier for the Earl Crabbe Gym for both athletics and the variety of activities that take place in the gym. The $983,444 in total impact as of the end of the last school year combined with the $19,000 distributed so far this school year, brings our total impact to $1,002,444 since the Hillmen Foundation began tracking our impact. What a milestone to celebrate as we wrap up our 35th year!

The story of the Hillmen Foundation isn’t just about past achievements; it’s about the ongoing impact our donors and supporters can make in the lives of students, the school, and the Auburn community. We are grateful for the legacy we’ve built together and excited for the future. Thank you for your interest in and support of our mission to enrich Placer High School and the Auburn community. Please stay tuned as we continue to share the impact of our efforts on our historic school and look forward to updating you along the way. Go Hillmen!