Bright Ideas

Deadline August 25, 2027

Hart EMC is committed to supporting education through scholarships, grants, and learning opportunities for our youth.

The Bright Ideas Grant Program provides funding of up to $1,000 per grant to certified K–12 public school teachers in Elbert, Franklin, Hart, and Stephens counties. These grants support innovative classroom projects that benefit students but would not otherwise be covered by school budgets.

Projects may cover any area of the curriculum, including music, art, history, language arts, reading, science, math, and information technology. The goal is to encourage creative, hands-on learning experiences that make a difference in the classroom.

Where Does the Funding Come From?

The Bright Ideas Grant Program is made possible through unclaimed capital credits. Georgia legislation, under House Bill 431, allows electric cooperatives to use unclaimed capital credits within their service areas to support charitable causes, economic development, and education. Hart EMC’s Board of Directors chose to dedicate these funds to Hart EMC Foundation scholarships and Bright Ideas grants.

Eligibility and Notification

Applicants must be certified teachers serving students in grades K–12 at public schools in Elbert, Franklin, Hart, or Stephens counties.

Grant recipients will be notified during the month of October.

Important Application Reminder

To ensure a fair and impartial judging process, all Bright Ideas Grant applications must be judged blindly. Please do not include your name, school name, school mascot, or any other information that could identify you or your school in your project proposal. Applications containing identifying information may not be considered for a Bright Idea grant.

Photo and Media Release

By applying, participants agree that their names, photographs, and project information may be used in print, broadcast, and other media by Hart Electric Membership Cooperative and the Hart EMC Foundation.

Please click on the link to apply: Bright Idea Grants 2027 Application

Bright Idea Grant applications can be returned to angie.brown@hartemc.com or mailed to:

Hart EMC Foundation Bright Ideas
Attn: Angie Brown
P.O. Box 250
Hartwell, GA 30643

***Attention Teachers: to ensure proper transfer of all information, please save your application as a PDF file when emailing.

If you have any questions about the grant program or application procedures, please contact angie.brown@hartemc.com or call Angie Brown at 800-241-4109.