Community Involvement
Bright Ideas Education Grants
Inside The Program

Bright Ideas grants help finance innovative classroom projects that would otherwise not receive funding. The program has sponsored a wide variety of hands-on projects in all disciplines.

The electric cooperatives’ Bright Ideas program is the only one of its kind in our state exclusively for K-12 teachers. Grants are awarded of up to $2,000.00.

Since its inception in 1994, the Bright Ideas grant program has sponsored more than 12,900 projects benefiting more than 2.7 million students. Cooperatives understand the importance of creativity in the classroom and we’re encouraging innovation through this program.

The primary elements of the online application process include an explanation of the project and its creative elements, as well as its potential benefits to students. A sample application and contact information for program coordinators are available on the Bright Ideas website. The program also has a Facebook page, which features notable projects and regularly updated information.

The Bright Ideas education grant program is part of the electric cooperatives’ ongoing commitment to North Carolina communities. North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.

Bright Ideas Application Process

Creative teachers can apply for 2024-2025 Bright Ideas Education Grants.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives, including Pitt & Greene EMC will begin accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year on April 1, 2024. Applications submitted by August 15, 2024 will be entered in an early bird drawing.

Get Started

Teachers can learn about the program and apply online at ncbrightideas.com.

Congratulations to the 2023 – 2024 Bright Ideas Winners

Congratulations to Samantha Wade of Sam D. Bundy Elementary School, Shamecka Hopkins of Grifton Elementary School, and Patsy Johnson of The Oakwood School. They are the recipients of the Bright Ideas Grant Program for the 2023-2024 school year. The Bright Ideas Grant Program is a statewide effort by North Carolina’s twenty-seven Touchstone Energy electric cooperatives to provide additional classroom resources that cannot be met through existing school budgets. Any K-12 certified North Carolina teacher can apply for a grant up to $2000.00.

Since 1994, North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives have awarded more than $15 million to North Carolina teachers for projects that have touched the lives of more than 3.5 million students in all subjects including math, reading, science and technology, history, music, and the arts.

The application process will reopen for interested teachers in April 2024. In order to be considered for a Bright Idea Grant, the idea submitted by the teacher should be a unique and innovative way to reach the students and increase their interest in learning.

To find out more information about the Bright Idea Grant Program, visit ncbrightideas.com.