Building Momentum: The Hillmen Foundation’s Impact in 2024–25

As we turn the page on another remarkable year, the Hillmen Foundation is proud to reflect on a season of meaningful progress, community collaboration, and unwavering commitment to Placer High School. From record-breaking fundraisers to powerful new partnerships, the 2024–25 fiscal and school year underscored what’s possible when alumni, educators, community leaders, and generous donors come together with a shared purpose.

This past year, our all-volunteer foundation invested more than $45,000 directly into academics, athletics, activities, and alumni engagement at Placer High:

• $13,070 in Academic Programs

• $18,084 in Student Activities

• $11,535 in Athletics

• $2,350 in Alumni Endeavors

We also facilitated 31 scholarships totaling $41,000, including community-sponsored, endowed, and Hillmen Foundation scholarships—ensuring students are supported not just in high school but in their next steps as well.

2024–25 was a year of milestones. We reintroduced our beloved Tailgater fundraiser, which netted after expenses nearly $12,000 for Foundation programs thanks to our guests, Tailgater Partners, donors, and dedicated board members. Our year-end giving campaign set a new record, raising $12,138 in just one month, inspired by a generous board member’s matching gift. And on the Big Day of Giving, with the help of Dutch Bros. Coffee’s incredible $10,000 match, we raised more than $29,000—another Foundation best.

Beyond fundraising, we continued to build meaningful partnerships to benefit Placer High. A $10,000 grant from the Taco Bell Foundation doubled its support for the school’s innovative VAULT program. We also partnered on funding for enhanced physics instruction thanks to the Navy League STEM Institute, Placer County Council of the Navy League, and a local donor.

In the midst of all this, the Hillmen Foundation unveiled a new logo and brand identity—a thoughtful blend of tradition and vision—giving us the tools to tell our story with greater clarity and reach. It’s a small change that signals our readiness to grow and evolve, while staying rooted in our proud heritage.

Since our founding in 1989, the Hillmen Foundation has invested more than $1 million in support of Placer High—an achievement powered entirely by volunteer leadership and donor generosity. As we welcome new board members and continue our work under the leadership of incoming Chair David Odom, we’re inspired by what’s been built—and even more excited for what’s to come.

Looking ahead, we know that the challenges facing public education are growing. Early grant requests for the 2025–26 school year have already far exceeded those at this time last year, and we anticipate the needs of Placer High will be even greater. Still, thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our donors and the strength of our community, we are poised to meet those needs and will work hard to ensure continued success for students and educators alike.

We look forward to keeping you apprised of our efforts—and, as always, thank you for being part of the Hillmen Foundation family.

Go Hillmen!