The Home Depot Announces Grants for 36 HBCUs at 2023 Retool Your School Awards Celebration

Rhea-AI Summary

The Home Depot announced awards exceeding $2 million to 36 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through its Retool Your School program, aimed at enhancing campus facilities. Alabama A&M University, Coahoma Community College, and Fisk University were the top awardees, each receiving $150,000. This year's program expanded to include additional $2 million for needs-based grants, promoting renovations and scholarship programs. The awards were celebrated at a ceremony in Atlanta, emphasizing Home Depot's commitment to HBCUs beyond financial contributions. Since its establishment in 2009, the program has invested over $9.25 million in HBCU enhancements, showcasing ongoing community support.

Positive

• Home Depot awarded over $2 million in grants to 36 HBCUs, supporting campus improvements.
• Expansion of the needs-based grant program to an additional $2 million for scholarships and renovations.
• Since 2009, more than $9.25 million invested in HBCU campus upgrades through the Retool Your School program.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, April 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the 14th year of its Retool Your School program, The Home Depot^® awarded 36 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with more than $2 million in grants to improve their college campuses. Alabama A&M University, Coahoma Community College and Fisk University placed first in their respective competition clusters, each winning a $150,000 grant. The 2023 Retool Your School program was expanded to include an additional $2 million in needs-based grants such as Innovation Lounge renovations, internship and externship programs, scholarships and more. 

The Retool Your School Awards Celebration was held on Tuesday, April 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to celebrate the participating schools and the 2023 program year. The event was hosted by actor, author, and HBCU alumnae, Rashan Ali. Andre Dickens, mayor of Atlanta, and Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of The Home Depot, delivered remarks to attendees about the importance of championing our nation's HBCUs.

"The Home Depot's commitment to HBCUs goes deeper than just financial support," said Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "We recognize that HBCUs are fundamental to academic success and professional development in both the communities they serve and our nation as a whole. We're committed to preserving that incredible history and seeing that it continues to grow."

HBCUs participating in the Campus Improvement Grant program were separated into three clusters based on student population. The top ten schools with the most votes per cluster received grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000. As part of the new needs-based grant program, 10 schools were also awarded with Innovation Lounge funding to enhance existing spaces on campuses where students can congregate, ideate and collaborate.

Congratulations to all the winning institutions of the 2023 Retool Your School program. 

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 1

1. Alabama A&M University
2. Jackson State University
3. Albany State University
4. Howard University
5. Hampton University
6. Grambling State University
7. Alabama State University
8. Southern University and A&M College
9. Winston-Salem State University
10. Norfolk State University

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 2

1. Coahoma Community College
2. South Carolina State University
3. Tuskegee University
4. Bethune-Cookman University
5. Kentucky State University
6. Benedict College
7. Savannah State University
8. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
9. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
10. Mississippi Valley State University

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 3

1. Fisk University
2. Tougaloo College
3. Johnson C. Smith University
4. Lane College
5. Texas College
6. Southwestern Christian College
7. Wilberforce University
8. Morris Brown College
9. Rust College
10. Saint Augustine's University

Innovation Lounge Grant

• Bethune-Cookman University
• Florida A&M University
• Interdenominational Theological Center
• Lincoln University of Missouri
• Meharry Medical College
• Morehouse College
• Morris Brown College
• Southern University and A&M College
• Southwestern Christian College
• Voorhees College

Since 2009, through Retool Your School, The Home Depot has invested more than $9.25 million dollars to update, upgrade and uplift HBCU campuses. In 2023, the company quadrupled its Retool Your School commitment to $4 million as part of its continued dedication to celebrating the legacy and pride of HBCUs. To learn more, visit RetoolYourSchool.com.

About The Home Depot  
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer. At the end of fiscal year 2022, the company operated a total of 2,322 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. The company employs approximately 475,000 associates. The Home Depot's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: HD) and is included in the Dow Jones industrial average and Standard & Poor's 500 index. The Home Depot is #17 on the 2022 Fortune 500.

About Retool Your School      
The Home Depot's Retool Your School grant program strives to give back to our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) what they have so generously given to their communities: a strong foundation, renewed purpose and distinctive character through campus uplift and beautification funding. Established in 2009, Retool Your School has invested more than $9.25 million to support 227 campus improvement grants provided to 71 percent of the nation's HBCUs. To learn more about Retool Your School, visit RetoolYourSchool.com and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotRetool, Instagram @RetoolYourSchool and Facebook @RetoolYourSchool. 

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SOURCE The Home Depot

FAQ

What are the details of the Home Depot's Retool Your School program in 2023?

In 2023, the program awarded over $2 million to 36 HBCUs, with top grants of $150,000 each to Alabama A&M University, Coahoma Community College, and Fisk University.

How much money has Home Depot invested in HBCUs through the Retool Your School program?

Since its launch in 2009, the Retool Your School program has invested over $9.25 million in supporting HBCU campus improvements.

When was the Retool Your School Awards Celebration held?

The Retool Your School Awards Celebration took place on April 11, 2023, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

What is the focus of the grants awarded by Home Depot to HBCUs?

The grants focus on campus improvements, including renovations, internship programs, and scholarships.

How does Home Depot's Retool Your School program support HBCUs?

The program supports HBCUs by providing funding for campus beautification projects and enhancing student facilities.