Education Programs
Bright Ideas Grants
Central Electric is continually seeking ways to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve. That's why each year through the Bright Ideas Program, the Co-op awards approximately $15,000 to teachers to help bring creative and innovative projects into their classroom. Co-sponsored by the N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives, the grants are available to teachers in area schools for projects that traditional school money does not cover. All of North Carolina's 26 electric Cooperatives participate in the program.
Each year, more than 2,000 applications are accepted from teachers in a variety of disciplines including music, art, history, reading, science, career-planning and information technology. Since the Bright Ideas program began in 1994, North Carolina's electric cooperatives have awarded $13.6 million to teachers for 12,900 projects benefiting more than 2.7 million students.
Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15, but teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 Visa gift cards.