"We were incredibly honored to recognize each of our winners at our two regional luncheons and during our Lake Norman surprise visits," Moore said. Since the Bright Ideas grant program began in 1994, EnergyUnited has contributed more than $800,000 to local teachers. EnergyUnited is one of 26 member-owned electric cooperatives in the state offering Bright Ideas grants to local educators. During the month of November, North Carolina's electric cooperatives awarded teachers statewide close to $600,000 in Bright Ideas education grants. Bright Ideas grant applications are collected each year from April through mid-September, and winning proposals are selected in a competitive evaluation process by a panel of judges. The application process will reopen for interested teachers in April 2020. To find out more information about the Bright Ideas grant program, visit. The Bright Ideas program is just one example of the electric cooperatives' commitment to community.