Apply Now Until February 10th
The Home Depot’s Retool Your School Program is back for its 14th year to encourage and recognize innovative projects that contribute to the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Over the years, the program has awarded grants to HBCUs for campus renovations, repairs, and enhancements and has given more than $5.2 million across 70% of HBCUs nationwide.
In 2023, Retool Your School renewed its commitment to being “Powered by Purpose” by developing several exciting new initiatives, quadrupling the available grant pool, and merging HBCU-focused efforts across teams under one umbrella.“We saw an opportunity for us to bring it all together and make it more of an impactful, company-wide collective initiative to support HBCUs,” said Tiffany Mitsui, Senior Manager of Multicultural Marketing at The Home Depot.
This year’s Program will present an opportunity for HBCUs to apply for three different grants: Campus Improvement Grant, Innovation Lounge Grant, and Community Project Grant.
This year students will be able to directly benefit from Retool Your School initiatives even if their HBCU does not apply for the Campus Improvement Grant Program.
The Home Depot is partnering with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) to award $2,500 scholarships to 60 students currently enrolled at any HBCU. In addition, they are offering 300 virtual externships to HBCU sophomores, juniors, and seniors that will give them the opportunity to build their professional networks and learn about business in a collaborative environment.
The program will also allow HBCUs to apply for two new needs-based grants, the Innovation Lounge Grant and Community Project Grant.
The Innovation Lounge Grant will support the development of a dedicated space on campus for students to come together to ideate and collaborate. The Community Project Grant will allow HBCUs to continue their work of building up their surrounding communities by partnering with a local non-profit on a project focused on giving back.
“We’re strengthening our commitment to HBCUs and their students, from educational enrichment to career development opportunities that will follow them long after graduation,” said Arlette Guthrie, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at The Home Depot. “As a proud HBCU graduate myself, I value the education I received and have personally experienced the diversity of thought and innovation that HBCU students bring to the workforce.”
To apply for Retool Your School grant opportunities, a school administrator must register their HBCU and fill out an application. Any questions regarding the application should be directed to the Retool Your School Contacts.
Applications must be submitted between Monday, January 9, 2023, at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) EST and Friday, February 10, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
For more information regarding the application, visit Retool Your School’s rules page.
For information about individual student scholarships and career development opportunities, click here.
