Central Alabama Electric Cooperative (CAEC)
Bright Ideas Grants
Central Alabama Electric Cooperative gives teachers $250 to $750 (up to $1,500 for a team) for creative classroom projects in any subject. Private schools and home school associations in the co-op's service area can apply.
- Amount
- $250 to $750 for one teacher; up to $1,500 for a team of teachers
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Dec 4, 2026 (45 days left)
- Who this fits
- Private school · Homeschool co‑op · MicroschoolTeachers at public and private K-12 schools and home school associations in CAEC's service area. An informal co-op may need to show it is an organized association. A microschool fits if it operates as a private school there.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Alabama only, local area
- Last checked
- Oct 20, 2026on caec.coop
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Whether the school itself must get its power from CAEC, or only be located in the service area
- Who signs as 'principal' for a home school association
- Whether a for-profit school can apply
How to apply
- Step 1: Check with CAEC that your school or co-op is inside its service area (mostly rural Autauga, Elmore, Coosa and Chilton counties, plus parts of Tallapoosa, Talladega, Bibb, Perry, Dallas and Lowndes). Being in one of these counties is not enough by itself.
- Step 2: Download the 2026-27 application PDF
- Step 3: Write the project summary, goals, needs, evaluation plan and an itemized list of materials
- Step 4: Get your principal's digital signature (a homeschool association should ask CAEC who may sign)
- Step 5: Email it to communications@coop.caec.com by Dec. 4, 2026
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Teachers in public and private schools, K-12 and home school associations in CAEC’s service area are eligible to participate.”
One of the few Alabama grants that names home school associations outright. It is a teacher grant for a classroom project in any subject. The form needs a principal's digital signature (for a co-op, ask CAEC who signs). Nothing says whether a for-profit school can apply. Grants are not meant for equipment like iPads, computers, printers or playgrounds unless the equipment is part of a creative project, and the form says it does not pay salaries or professional development.
- School or home school association in CAEC's service area (central Alabama co-op area)
- Teacher applies for a classroom project; principal's digital signature required
- One application per project per school
- Proof the project was finished by the end of the school year
- Not for equipment or capital items unless used in a creative project; no salaries or professional development
Timing
The 2027 application must be emailed to communications@coop.caec.com by Dec. 4, 2026. Applications come out each September and winners are picked in January.