Many teachers develop innovative classroom projects but lack the funds to implement them.  The Palmetto Electric Trust and Palmetto Electric Cooperative offer Bright Ideas, a grant program that provides funding for innovative classroom-based education projects that fall outside of normal school funding. Each year, teachers from southern Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties school submit proposals for innovative classroom projects.  The grants are intended to fund projects outside normal school funding. Teachers in grades K–12 from schools in our three-county service area can apply. A school may submit more than one application, but a teacher is limited to one application per school year.

The Palmetto Electric Trust is supported by funds from Operation Round Up®, a program in which the Cooperative’s members round their electric bill up to the nearest whole dollar. If you have any questions about the grant program or application procedures, please contact your local Palmetto Electric office or e-mail us at brightideas@palmetto.coop.

These grants are designed to help teachers provide creative and innovative learning experiences for their students. Since Palmetto Electric launched the program in 2004, area teachers in Hampton, Jasper and southern Beaufort counties have received over $766,000 in grants.

Applications are now available. Deadline to apply is September 12, 2025

2024 Bright Ideas Winners

Palmetto Electric Cooperative and Palmetto Electric Trust awarded $38,775 in Bright Ideas grants to 46 deserving teachers in southern Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties in 2024. Earlier this year, teachers submitted proposals for innovative classroom projects. Congratulations to this year's winners!

BEAUFORT COUNTY

Cross Schools                
Stacha Stinson: $800
Stefoni Shaw: $700
Kristina Rebmann: $1,000
Lisa Hill: $995

Heritage Academy
Lynn Owen: $800

Hilton Head Island High School
Dolka Vindas Bryan: $400
Kimberly Guinn: $1,000

Hilton Head Island Middle School
Kimberly Lissade: $905
Sarah Owen: $810

Hilton Head Island School for the Creative Arts
Jennifer Friend-Kerr: $1,000

Hilton Head Preparatory School
Justin Clark: $980 
Lawrence Tavino: $960   
Laura Campbell: $1,000    
Kenn Luthanen: $1,000    
Jeffrey Rehling: $1,000     

May River Montessori
John Dogger: $1,000

Red Cedar Elementary School
Virginia Pratt: $430

St. Gregory the Great Catholic School
Christina Cleveland: $1,000 
Laurie McKamey: $1,000

HAMPTON COUNTY

Estill Elementary
Alexandria Newton: $580

Fennell Elementary School
Rebecca Evans: $1,000

Hampton Elementary School
Ian Welch: $980

Patrick Henry Academy
Susan Mikell: $990

Varnville Elementary School
Kelyne Buxton: $1,000

JASPER COUNTY

Ridgeland Elementary School
Tori-Ann Whyte: $1,000
Samuel Jiles Jr.: $1,000
Patricia Ormsby-Haase: $1,000

Royal Live Oaks Academy
Kasey Arch: $420
Robin Connolly: $950
Lynne Davis: $500
Romon Gray: $640
Keri Haines: $1,000
Cynthia Hayes: $430
Sharon Moots: $750
Angela Occasion: $1,000
Amber Palmer: $830
Maria Parrish: $600
Lauren Alyssa Serrani: $600
Christopher Smith: $1,000
Kelly Surber: $1,000
Melanie Williams: $920
Patricia Wilson: $780
Kadene Witter-Headley: $1,000
Scott Wivagg: $900

Thomas Heyward Academy
Julie Harvey: $625