Burgaw, N.C. – (November 25, 2024) – Four County has awarded over $35,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to 22 local teachers, funding innovative and engaging classroom projects that will directly enhance learning experiences for more than 2,500 students across Bladen, Duplin, Pender, and Sampson counties. These grants will support unique educational initiatives, such as "Using Modern Technology to Create Modern Publications" and "Building a Math Thinking Classroom."
“We are thrilled to support our local educators through the Bright Ideas grant program, now celebrating its 30th year of fostering creativity and innovation in classrooms,” said Don Gatton, CEO at Four County. “These grants allow teachers to bring unique projects to life. Enhancing learning experiences for thousands of students is a part of our commitment to community growth and education.”
To explore the exciting projects funded by the 2024 Bright Ideas grants and see the impact these funds will have on classrooms, visit our Bright Ideas page.
Since its inception in 1994, the Bright Ideas grant program has been empowering teachers with funding for innovative projects in all subject areas, including music, art, history, reading, science, and math. By encouraging creativity and fostering student success, these grants help to transform K-12 classrooms into dynamic learning environments.
Four County is proud to be one of 26 electric cooperatives in North Carolina offering Bright Ideas grants to local teachers. Over the past 30 years, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have collectively awarded nearly $16 million to support 14,700 projects, benefiting more than 3.65 million students.
Bright Ideas grant applications are accepted annually from April through mid-September. Winning proposals are selected through a competitive evaluation process by a panel of judges. The application process will reopen in April 2025 for interested teachers.
“The Bright Ideas grant program is part of Four County’s ongoing commitment to building a brighter future through support of education,” added Gatton. “We’re excited to continue this legacy as we look toward the future.”
To learn more about the Bright Ideas education grant program, visit www.ncbrightideas.com.
Four County’s mission is to deliver safe, reliable, affordable, and innovative energy solutions to our members, with a commitment to exceptional service and enhancing the quality of life in our communities. Our partnership with NCEMCS, our statewide organization, and the Bright Ideas program remains central to our dedication to supporting and uplifting the communities we proudly serve.
