Bright Ideas Grants are one of the most direct ways the Fayette Education Foundation invests in students and educators. By funding teacher-led ideas, BIG ensures that resources go straight into classrooms—supporting both innovative learning and critical needs across Fayette County Public Schools. Each funded project reflects a commitment to measurable impact and student success.

Bright Ideas Grants are made possible through the support of generous community partners, including the longstanding partnership of the Blue Grass Community Foundation, which has historically provided significant support for classroom innovation and educator grants in Fayette County. Their continued investment helps expand opportunities for students and empowers educators to bring impactful ideas to life.

As of the 2025-26 school year, over $232,000 has been awarded to 124 projects across the district.

Applications are closed for 2026. Applications will reopen in April 2027 for the 2027-28 school year. 

The Bright Ideas Grants program (BIG) empowers Fayette County Public Schools educators to bring creative, impactful ideas directly into their classrooms.

Updates for 2026-2027

We’ve updated the Bright Ideas Grants application and added new tools to make the process more straightforward for educators, more consistent for reviewers, and better aligned with our focus on meaningful, measurable impact for students.

Through BIG, teachers and staff can access funding for innovative projects that enhance student learning, remove barriers, and create opportunities that would not otherwise be possible through traditional school funding.

Bright Ideas Grants are one of the most direct and impactful ways we invest in students. Every dollar goes straight into classrooms—fueling teacher-led innovation, addressing unmet needs, and creating opportunities that change student outcomes immediately.

These updates are about reducing barriers for teachers, increasing consistency in decision-making, and strengthening our ability to show real results from every dollar invested.

Grant Details & Application

Grant Types

  • Mini Grants (up to $750)
    Quick-turn funding for immediate classroom needs
  • Innovation Grants (up to $2,000)
    Creative, high-impact classroom or school-based projects
  • Signature Grants ($5,000 – limited each year)
    Larger-scale initiatives tied to a strategic theme

What We Fund

Bright Ideas Grants support projects that align with key priorities:

  • Academic Growth and Student Success
  • Student Engagement and Student Success
  • Career Exploration and Future Ready Skills
  • Student Opportunity and Access

Why It Matters

BIG puts resources directly into the hands of educators—those who know their students best. These grants:

  • Spark innovation in classrooms
  • Address gaps created by budget constraints
  • Support underserved students and schools
  • Deliver immediate, visible impact

Each project is aligned with school and district goals and includes measurable outcomes to ensure real results for students.

Are you a current recipient of a Bright Ideas Grant?

Bright Ideas Grants put funding directly into the hands of teachers to bring innovative, high-impact ideas to life in Fayette County classrooms—supporting student success, expanding opportunity, and meeting real needs in real time.