MANY TEACHERS DEVELOP INNOVATIVE CLASSROOM projects but lack the funds to implement them. By combining two of the cooperative’s Touchstone Energy core values, Innovation and Commitment to Community, Palmetto Electric, along with the Palmetto Electric Trust, sponsors Bright Ideas, an educational grant program that provides funding for innovative classroom-based projects that fall outside of normal school funding.

In 2020, 50 grants were awarded to deserving teachers, totaling $44,875. Since Palmetto Electric launched the program in 2004, teachers in southern Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties have received over $603,000 in grants. Bright Ideas is supported by The Palmetto Electric Trust and funds from Operation Round Up, a program in which Palmetto Electric members round their electric bill up to the nearest whole dollar. Additional funding is provided by Palmetto Electric’s Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shootout and WIRE (Women Involved in Rural Electrification).

“We encourage all teachers throughout southern Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties to apply.,” said Tray Hunter, Palmetto Electric vice president of marketing and public relations. “We are honored to play a small part in the lives of our teachers and students through programs like Bright Ideas.”

Teachers in grades K-12 from private or public schools in southern Beaufort, Hampton and Jasper counties can apply. A school may submit more than one application, but a teacher is limited to only one application per school year. $1,000 is the maximum grant amount teachers can apply for.

To complete a Bright Ideas application and view a complete list of requirements, please click the image below. The deadline to apply is September 10, 2021. Please contact brightideas@palmetto.coop or call 843-681-0075 with any questions.