There is a special power in community, a power that transforms institutions and shapes futures. This power has always been at the heart of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), institutions with a legacy of fostering excellence, resilience and innovation. With the new year upon us, we thought we’d explore how Retool Your School has been empowering HBCUs for 16 years.
Launched by The Home Depot in 2009, the Retool Your School program has supported HBCUs for 16 years, improving their campuses, and creating environments where students and faculty can thrive. This year marks the return of the program with even more possibilities, reflecting both its impressive history and the bright future ahead. As we prepare for the 2025 cycle, we’re thrilled to reignite the spirit of community, progress and innovation that makes this initiative so impactful. Together, we will continue building a legacy of transformation for decades to come.
A Legacy of Impact: Retool Your School’s 16-Year Journey
Since its inception, Retool Your School has been a beacon of support for HBCUs across the nation. The program was created with one mission in mind: to empower HBCUs by funding critical campus improvements that enhance the student experience. Over the past 16 years, Retool Your School has contributed more than $12 million in grants and funded hundreds of transformative projects. These improvements range from updated STEM labs and technology centers to sustainable gardens and revitalized student lounges.
But beyond the bricks and mortar, Retool Your School is about nurturing the heart and soul of HBCUs. It’s about creating spaces that inspire students to dream bigger, to aim higher and to achieve greatness. Each project funded by the program has contributed to the vitality and resilience of these schools, reinforcing their role as pillars of education, culture and leadership.
Some of the most powerful changes include the creation of new study areas, enhanced learning environments and state-of-the-art classrooms that help students stay on the cutting edge of their academic pursuits. Additionally, the program’s focus on sustainability has allowed schools to implement green technologies and eco-friendly initiatives, ensuring that the facilities benefit not only current students but future generations as well.
Looking Ahead: Retool Your School 2025
As we look ahead to the 2025 cycle, there is a renewed sense of excitement surrounding Retool Your School. This next chapter of the program will continue to prioritize the evolution of campus spaces, but with a few key enhancements that reflect the needs of today’s HBCU students. One of the most exciting developments for 2025 is expanded funding. With more resources available to schools, the program aims to impact more and enable schools to pursue a wider range of projects.
Retool Your School will also deepen its commitment to supporting students beyond the physical campus. As before, students will have access to opportunities such as internships, scholarships and professional development. These benefits align with The Home Depot’s broader commitment to preparing students for successful careers across multiple industries.
Changes for the 2025 program include the elimination of the voting process for any of the grants.. Grant applications will have an application intake period that opens Monday, January 6, 2025, and closes on Friday, February 28, 2025. Recipients of the grants will be selected based on criteria set by The Home Depot and will be announced in April, 2025.
Strength in Collaboration: Building Community Support
The Retool Your School program is more than just a funding initiative; it’s about creating lasting partnerships between students, alumni, faculty, local communities and The Home Depot. Advocacy and participation in campus projects are essential components of the program’s success. When schools rally their communities to take part in the planning and implementation of projects, they lay the groundwork for meaningful change. These collaborations reflect the spirit of HBCUs themselves—collective effort, shared purpose and community empowerment.
Empowering HBCU Excellence
Retool Your School is not just about improving the physical infrastructure of HBCUs. It’s about creating an environment that supports academic excellence, innovation and leadership development. HBCUs are known for fostering some of the brightest minds in science, technology, politics, business and the arts. The Retool Your School program is a part of helping these institutions gain the tools they need to continue shaping the future of our nation.
By updating labs with the latest technology and providing students with hands-on learning experiences, the program is helping to build a pipeline of future leaders in critical STEM fields. Similarly, improvements to student centers and recreational spaces create an atmosphere where students can relax, connect and engage in extracurricular activities that complement their academic work. By creating environments where students feel supported and empowered, Retool Your School gives HBCUs the tools to continue their work of producing the next generation of trailblazers.
A Catalyst for the Future: Retool Your School’s Growing Impact
As we celebrate the return of Retool Your School for 2025, we also reflect on the program’s cultural significance. HBCUs have played a vital role in preserving African- American culture, advancing education and nurturing leadership. With each new cycle, the program builds on its foundation of support, enabling schools to continue providing a high-quality education to students while remaining at the forefront of innovation and culture. By empowering these institutions, we empower the communities they serve—and ultimately help shape a brighter, more inclusive future.
As we look forward to 2025, we invite you to keep an eye out for upcoming announcements, deadlines, and opportunities to get involved. Together, we can ensure that HBCUs continue to thrive for generations to come.
Retool Your School is back—and the best is yet to come.