Bright Ideas Grant Program | Blue Ridge Energy

Blue Ridge Energy supports education of our youth and our schools through a variety of scholarships, grants and learning opportunities.

Each September, Blue Ridge Energy seeks applications from area educators and principals serving grades K-12 in public schools. Bright Ideas grants provide educators with funding of up to $2,000 per grant for innovative classroom projects that benefit students and would not otherwise be covered by the school budget. Applications are open to schools in our service area of Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, and Wilkes counties.

Bright Ideas has financed a variety of hands-on projects, including activities in music, art, history, language, reading, science, math, and information technology. Proposals can come from any area of the curriculum. Projects must directly benefit students, provide ongoing benefits, and use innovative teaching methods.

Blue Ridge Energy is celebrating it's 29th year of offering Bright Ideas grants as part of our support and commitment to education. To date, Blue Ridge Energy has awarded more than $593,000 and provided direct funding assistance that has impacted over 110,000 students.

Full details of the Bright Ideas program can be found at ncbrightideas.com. All applications must be submitted online at the website above.

For more information, please contact Tasha Rountree, director of community relations, or visit ncbrightideas.com. Here you will be able to see sample applications, apply online and get the answer to most any question you may have about your "bright idea.” (Note: online applications will be accepted April 1 through September 15.)

Blue Ridge Energy is part of several North Carolina electric cooperatives providing Bright Ideas grants. Together, we have provided over $15 million for North Carolina teachers and students.

2023 Bright Ideas Grant Winners

Alleghany Winners

Ashe/Wilkes Winners

Caldwell Winners

Watauga/Avery Winners

Ashe Co. 2020 Bright Ideas Grant Winners

Alexandra Miller $250
Westwood Elementary School

Sara Lambert $816
Westwood Elementary School

Kevin Miller $750
Westwood Elementary School

Mazie Sullivan $1,220
Westwood Elementary School

Taylor Hinrichs $1,267
Westwood Elementary School

Katherine Greene $1,499
Ashe County High School

Makayla Spencer $191
Westwood Elementary School

Ruth Turnmire $1,496
Mountain View Elementary School

Alexandra Miller

Growing Minds Growing Plants
This grant will improve garden beds started in 2019 to construct raised garden beds and add support for covered hoops. The project helps students work together to solve problems and learn long-term planning.

Sara Lambert

Pass the Mic!
The grant will purchase a Qball, a padded microphone that looks like a ball and can be treated as such. Using the Qball will encourage students to interact in a game-like format while social distancing. Qball will strengthen the social/emotional health of students as it shows that every voice matters.

Kevin Miller

I'll Take P.E. To Go Please
This grant will enable the students enrolled in remote learning an opportunity to have equipment and online guidance.

Mazie Sullivan

Rockin Robots
The grant will purchase six Dash robots with xylophone attachments. Music class will never look or sound the same after students code and compose with Dash robots!

Taylor Hinrichs

Stop Being So-So and Start Using Osmo
This grant will purchase a technology-based project that incorporates mathematics and phonics skills. Students will use an iPad with the Osmo device for applications that teach real-life problem solving skills and curriculum-based goals.

Katherine Greene

Art in the Home: Equality with Art Supplies
This grant will be used to provide quality art supplies to each student enrolled in one of the visual arts courses offered with Ashe online learning.

Makayla Spencer

Quilting the Curriculum
This grant will fund a collaborative project for 2nd and 4th grade students that incorporates art into social studies and math curriculum with creation of a Freedom Barn quilt mural.

Ruthie Turnmire

Ready-Set-R.E.A.D. (Reading, Engaging, Achieving, Discovering)
This grant will provide families of at-risk readers and English learners with interactive literacy kits that spark creativity and actively connect children with texts.