November 2025 — Piedmont Electric Cooperative is thrilled to announce that 36 dedicated educators across Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Orange, and Person counties have been awarded a total of $54,828 in Bright Ideas education grants. These grants will spark creativity and innovation in classrooms and bring hands-on learning opportunities to more than 9,200 students. From STEM and literacy to art, history, outdoor learning, and gardening, this year’s projects reflect the incredible passion local teachers pour into helping students grow, think, and explore.
“Our teachers are the heart of our communities, and their creativity never stops inspiring us,” said Jordan Overbee, president and general manager of Piedmont Electric. “These grants do more than fund projects—they open doors, fuel curiosity, and give students the chance to discover what lights them up. We’re honored to support the educators who make that possible every day.”
The Bright Ideas program is funded through the generosity of Piedmont Electric’s members who contribute to the Helping Hand Foundation by rounding up their monthly electric bills. Thanks to this community support, Piedmont Electric has invested more than $800,000 in local classrooms since the program began in 1994.
Statewide, 26 electric cooperatives—including Piedmont Electric—have awarded more than $16.5 million to nearly 15,400 innovative classroom projects, enriching the learning experiences of more than 3.8 million students.
Applications for the 2026 Bright Ideas grant cycle open in April. Teachers can submit proposals through mid-September, and awards are selected through a competitive review process. To learn more, visit ncbrightideas.com and follow them on Facebook.