Central Electric is committed to strengthening the communities we serve.
Through the Bright Ideas education grant program, the co-op awards approximately $15,000 each year to local teachers to support creative, innovative classroom projects not typically funded by school budgets.
Co‑sponsored by the N.C. Association of Electric Cooperatives, Bright Ideas is available to educators across North Carolina, with all 26 electric cooperatives participating. Since the program began in 1994, more than $17 million has been awarded to fund 16,000 projects, benefiting over 4 million students statewide.
The grant application window has closed for 2026. Applications will open for 2027 in April.
2026 Bright Ideas Grant Recipients
In 2026, the co-op awarded approximately $15,000 to 11 educators, who were selected by an independent panel of judges. Since 1994, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded more than $17 million to educators across the state.
Sarah Askins, Jordan Matthews High School, “Readers are Leaders”
Cynthia Bredenberg, Jordan Matthews High School, “The Prom Shoppe”
Dr. Carl Bryan, Central Carolina Academy, “The Anatomy of Athletics: From the Sidelines to the STEM Lab”
Mario Castillo, Silk Hope School, “Instruments for Silk Hope Band”
Tyler Critchfield, Chatham Middle School, “Every Student, Every Instrument”
Deanna Deaton, Greenwood Elementary, “SoundWorks: An Interactive Music STEAM Initiative
Andrea Hunter, Highland Elementary, “Eco Explorers: Building a Classroom Ecosystem”
Noelle Imel, Northwood High School, “2026 Instrument Loaner Program”
Cassie Lynch, Floyd L. Knight Child Center, “Falcon Families on the Move”
Mirian Vasquez Hernandez, Chatham Middle School, “Rams Cooking Club: Exploring Cultures Through Food, Sabores del Mundo”
April Woody, SanLee Middle School, “Stallion Drip Coffee Bar”
