It’s Time to Retool Our School

The Home Depot has launched the third annual Retool Your School campus improvement grant program. This year’s program includes the addition of two new awards -- the new Campus Pride Grant, as well as an additional Tier II Grant. The 2012 Retool Your School Grants will total $185,000 to be awarded as one $50,000 Tier I Grant, eleven $10,000 Tier II Grants and one $25,000 Campus Pride Grant for the school project proposal that receives the most online votes.

Texas Southern has submitted an application, and we need your votes to win the funds and Retool our School. Online voting will take place from February 14 – April 10, 2012, at retoolyourschool .   The TSU Project is a new entry garden and logo sign at Wheeler and Ennis.  

With the goal of providing sustainable and lasting renovations to give new life to the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Home Depot has decided to add a special award to this year’s program for the school with the most school spirit. The school receiving the most online votes will be eligible for a $25,000 grant for lasting improvements on their campus. “Over the past two years, we have received some in-depth proposals for a wide range of sustainable campus renovations. This year, we look forward to receiving even more innovative ideas for changes that will impact the HBCU community for generations to come,” said Trish Mueller, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, The Home Depot.

During the online voting period, consumers will be able to view descriptions of projects and can cast one vote per day for their favorite HBCU project. Following the online vote, a panel of distinguished judges will also evaluate each school’s Tier I and Tier II project proposals. Judges will take into consideration the depth of each proposal and the school’s ability to execute the project within the budget of $50,000 (Tier I) or $10,000 (Tier II), as applicable. Campus Pride Grant recipients will be determined based solely on the number of votes posted to the website – www.retoolyourschool.com. Proposals for all three grants must highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on the HBCU campus. The Home Depot will announce the grant recipients on or around May 4, 2012.

For more information on The Home Depot Retool Your School Grant Program or to register online for Retool Your School program updates, visit   retoolyourschool Online voting will begin February 14, 2012 at 12:00 am (midnight) EST and end April 10, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Visitors to the site will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite HBCU project.