adriene_b._wright.jpgMIAMI GARDENS — Florida Memorial University (FMU) has been announced as a finalist in the 2013 “Retool Your School” campus improvement grant program. In the initiative  designed to reinvigorate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) such as FMU, finalists competing for $225,000 in grants for on-campus improvements are now asking their communities and the public to help them win.

Online voting began Feb. 18. Through April 15, supporters can visit retoolyourschool.com to vote for their favorite school and sustainable campus improvement project.

One $50,000 Tier 1 major grant, 12 Tier 2 $10,000 minor grants and one $25,000 Campus Pride for the school receiving the most online votes and social media activity, as assessed by sponsor The Home Depot, will be awarded. The company will announce the winners in
May.

“Again this year, it is exciting for Florida Memorial University to be named as a finalist in this contest that is a win-win for everyone,” said Adriene B. Wright, vice president for Institutional Advancement at FMU.

“This Home Depot grant program provides an opportunity to invite our entire university, alumni, and community to band together in efforts to improve our school; what’s more is that it’s fun for everyone.”

To apply for the grants, HBCUs were required to submit by Feb. 11 via the “Retool Your School” website, letters of intent that included brief descriptions of their potential projects.

Applicants that provided their Phase 1 proposals by the deadline were able to continue and submit full proposals for Tier

I, Tier II and Campus Pride improvement grants.

During the online voting period currently under way, consumers are able to view descriptions of project proposals and can cast one vote per day for their favorite HBCU.

Following the online vote a panel of distinguished judges will also evaluate each school’s proposal. Tier I and Tier II projects will be judged based on the number of votes posted to the website, as well as the judges’ evaluation of the relevance to the proposal requirements as listed on the website and application. Entrants must highlight how each project will make a lasting, positive impact on their campus. Special attention will be given to schools that pitch eco-friendly plans.

The winning schools will be determined based on a combination of online votes and the evaluations by the judges. The awarding of the Campus Pride grant will be based on the number of votes and social media activity the winning school receives.

For more information and updates on the “Retool Your School” grant program or to vote online visit retoolyourschool.com

*Pictured abover is  Adriene B. Wright, vice president for Institutional Advancement at FMU