About Us
The Chico High School Foundation (CHSF) enhances and enriches student learning opportunities by providing financial support for academic and extracurricular programs, student scholarships, and mini-grants.
How It All Started
The Chico High School Foundation was founded by former Chico High Principal, Roger Williams. Chico High was not only Roger’s workplace, but it was the high school attended by his daughters. It was also the venue in which friendships were born and the platform from which thousands of students jettisoned into the world of ‘real’ life. From his position as principal, Williams viewed many students who needed a voice of support and/or financial boost to help them successfully encounter the postsecondary stage of their life.
In 2003, the Chico High School Foundation (CHSF) was formed. Twenty-three years later it oversees more than $600,000 in donor-advised and endowed funds, which disburse approximately $35,000 a year in student scholarships.
The story began when three teachers asked the retiring principal, Roger Williams, to start a 501(c)(3) foundation in order to qualify for private sector grant opportunities. Williams and a dedicated group of former CHS employees, alumni, and parents formed a committee, established by-laws, developed a brochure, and asked the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) to be part of the effort. The NVCF accepted the CHSF application, and the Chico High Foundation was launched in full partnership with the NVCF. Today, the CHSF operates as its own Foundation with no fees charged to donors and is managed by an entirely volunteer board of directors.
Setting a New Standard
One of Roger’s goals in establishing the Foundation was to raise funds for teacher “mini-grants.” These grants allow any staff member (or student) on campus to apply for funds to “enrich and enhance” student learning opportunities, whether it be by buying new equipment for the classroom, paying for transportation and lodging for Mock Trial competitions, or paying for subscriptions to learning aids. Over the years, CHSF has given approximately $50,000 in mini-grants.
Currently, our mission is to create some equity in funding for some athletic teams. The Foundation manages an endowment which gives money annually to four boys sports on a rotating basis, but there is no such fund for girls’ athletics. We are raising money for that fund with our $125 for the 125th campaign. Chico High School is turning 125 next Fall, and it is our hope that we will be able to start helping out the girls’ teams! Look on our homepage to donate!
The CHS Foundation respectfully asks alumni, parents, retired staff members, and community members to consider an investment in students and assist a dedicated group of teachers in the delivery of quality education for all students. In the final analysis, public education is free, but quality learning experiences require extra support. We urge you to support the foundation and to contribute to the future of all students at Chico High School.