Wake Forest, NC — Starting April 1, Wake Electric is calling on local educators to submit their ‘Bright Idea’ for a chance to bring their dream classroom project to life. The local electric cooperative is awarding grants of up to $3,000 to enhance educational experiences through creative and engaging projects. Teachers can apply online at www.ncbrightideas.com.

“We’re proud to invest in the communities we serve, and grants for local educators are a direct way we’re able to do that,” said Kirk Metcalf, Wake Electric’s vice president of member services and human resources. “We know teachers are being asked to do more than ever, often with limited resources, and this program is one way we can help ease that burden. By supporting local educators, we’re helping create opportunities for our students to learn, explore and succeed.”

Wake Electric expects to award $50,000 in Bright Ideas grants to local teachers during the 2026-2027 school year. Funding is available for K-12 classroom projects in all curriculum areas including art, history, math, reading, science, technology and more. Educators can apply as individuals or as a team and must include a budget, project goals, implementation plan and description of how the project will engage students and enhance their success.

Since 1994, Wake Electric has awarded more than $1,288,280 in grants, funding 757 projects that have benefited countless students in Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, and Wake counties.

The final deadline to apply is Sept. 15. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the co-op website at wemc.com/bright-ideas-grants to find details on submission requirements. For more information about the program and grant-writing tips, please visit www.ncbrightideas.com.

The Bright Ideas education grant program is a shared initiative of all 26 electric co-ops in North Carolina. Collectively, Wake Electric and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have awarded nearly $17 million in grants, supporting more than 16,000 projects benefiting close to four million students statewide.

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Wake Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing reliable, safe, and affordable energy and related services to more than 58,000 members across Durham, Franklin, Granville, Johnston, Nash, Vance, and Wake counties. Founded in 1940, Wake Electric exists to serve its members and strengthen the communities it calls home through continued investment in reliability and innovation, energy education, youth and educator programs, community grants and scholarships, and advocacy on issues that impact our local membership. The cooperative is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors representing geographic districts throughout its service area, with directors elected at-large to rotating three-year terms at the cooperative’s annual meeting. Learn more at wemc.com.