What types of organizations/institutions does the Retool Your School Program support?
Only Institutions of Higher Education (“IHE”) designated by the Secretary of Education as accredited 4-year colleges and universities, 2-year community colleges, trade and technical colleges that meet the eligibility requirements can enroll in The Home Depot Retool Your School Program.
What are the specific eligibility requirements?
Current accreditation status
Current student enrollment under 16,000
Endowment under $500,000,000.00
What grants are available through the Retool Your School Program?
Campus Improvement Grant
Innovation Lounge Grant
How can a higher learning institution apply for a grant?
Schools can apply using the link on retoolyourschool.com during the open application time frame.
Who can apply for a Retool Your School grant on behalf of my institution?
Only an employee of the intuition can apply for a Retool Your School grant using an email address that contains the institution’s domain. If a non-employee applies, the institution will be pulled from consideration for the year’s grant cycle without the opportunity to submit a new application.
How many applications can be submitted on behalf of my institution?
Only one application can be submitted per institution per year. The first application successfully submitted will be accepted.
I am having trouble with my institution’s application. Who can I contact?
Can we promote our institutions involvement with the Retool Your School Program? Are there any stipulations for media coverage?
Yes, your school can promote your participation in the program. However, no applicants or representatives can take part (or agree to take part) in any media interviews or events or issue any press releases or other announcements regarding participation in the Retool Your School Program without the prior written consent of The Home Depot.
Written communications guidelines (includes media materials, external communications, social media) will be sent to Grantees. These guidelines outline the communication materials requested by The Home Depot’s PR Team and the process for getting related communications submitted and approved.
Does the Retool Your School Program accept unsolicited grant requests?
No. Applicants must apply for one of the available grants during the open application time frame.
I’ve read through all the materials, but I still have questions. How can I contact someone from the Retool Your School Program team?
No. There is no voting process for any of the grants. Recipients of the Campus Improvement Grant are selected based on criteria set by The Home Depot.
Can I use my school’s hashtag on social media to promote my school’s participation in the program?
Yes, you can use your school’s hashtag along with the hashtag #RetoolYourSchool to promote your school’s participation in the Program as well as any completed projects.
What is the 2026 application timeline?
Grant Applications Intake Period: Monday May 11, 2026 – Sunday June 7, 2026
Grant Recipients Publicly Announced: August 2026
When will the grants be awarded?
All grants will be publicly announced in August and awarded after the announcement.
How can I sign up to receive notifications and communications about the Retool Your School Program?
Sign up using this link (will provide later) on retoolyourschool.com
Can Applications be edited after submission?
No, applications cannot be submitted after submission.
What is the focus of the Campus Improvement Grant?
The Retool Your School Program provides the opportunity for colleges and universities to receive grants from The Home Depot to be used for campus improvement projects that promote sustainability and long-term benefits to the campus and students.
What is the 2026 timeline?
Grant Applications Intake Period: Monday, May 11, 2026 – Sunday, June 7, 2026
Grant Recipients Announced: August 2026
How can my school use the Campus Improvement Grant funds?
Grants can be used for materials and/or services available through The Home Depot and Home Services at The Home Depot. Grants cannot be used for tool rentals or tool rental deposits. Other services provided by contractors can be paid by using the cash portion of the grant.
What is the Campus Improvement Grant worth?
Each of the Campus Improvement Grants will be valued at $200K.
When will the Campus Improvement Grant awards be funded to the winning schools?
All grants will be distributed during the fall of 2026 after the agreement has been completed.
If my school does not finish a Campus Improvement Grant project by the end of the calendar year, do we lose the money?
No. A school will not lose their grant funds if they do not complete the Campus Improvement Grant project by the end of the calendar year.
Innovation Lounge Grants will help provide on-campus spaces where students can come together to do schoolwork, ideate, or explore entrepreneurship or career path opportunities. Innovation Lounges can also be used to host hybrid meetings and webinars.
What does the Innovation Lounge grant include?
The Innovation Lounge Grant provides funding for building materials like paint, flooring, lighting, and drywall to support repairs. The grant also covers a furniture package and
technology package that will be provided.
An Innovation Lounge Grant does not include funding for new construction, demolition and rebuild, or for spaces requiring the support of a general contractor or building permits to complete.
What is the Innovation Lounge Grant worth?
Each Innovation Lounge Grant is valued at $75K.
What are the eligibility requirements to be considered for the Innovation Lounge Grant?
A school must submit a proposal for the opportunity to receive an Innovation Lounge Grant. Proposals will be judged based on certain criteria set by The Home Depot. These criteria include, but are not limited to:
School has not previously been awarded an Innovation Lounge.
Proposed space is less than 1,000 sq. ft.
Only minor repairs are needed to refresh the space (no major renovations).
School has provided a clear description of the project.
Scope of work can be completed within designated timeline and budget.
How many Innovation Lounge Grants will be awarded annually?
Fourteen schools will be selected based on criteria set by The Home Depot.
How will the Innovation Lounge Grant funds be distributed?
A portion of the funds will be issued in the form of Home Depot gift cards, and the remaining grant funds will cover a furniture package and technology package that will be provided.
How can my school use Innovation Lounge Grant funds?
Grant funds can be used for the purpose of refreshing an existing campus space of up to 1,000 sq. ft. Funding covers building materials like paint, flooring, lighting, and drywall needed to support repairs. The grant also provides a furniture package and technology package that will be provided.
An Innovation Lounge Grant does not include funding for new construction, demolition and rebuild, or spaces requiring the support of a general contractor or building permits to complete.
Can I win the Innovation Lounge Grant if my institution has won previously?
No. The Innovation Lounge Grant may not be won more than once by any eligible institution.
