Stronger communities for a net zero future
At Drax we are committed to being a good neighbour in the communities where we operate. This is reinforced within Drax’s new Sustainability Framework with a set of public commitments to benefit the climate, people, and nature. Within the people pillar is a commitment to partner with the communities we operate in to make a positive contribution to their lives and livelihoods. This will be delivered by combining corporate community investment with hands-on community engagement and participatory decision-making processes with our local communities.
Our impact: 2024 at-a-glance
*Projected based on information received from grantees
Corporate Community Investment
Community investment is central to Drax’s commitment to be a good neighbour. In 2024 we donated £3.6million to charitable causes in the UK, US and Canada.
Drax Foundation
The Drax Foundation is our flagship corporate community investment programme. It was established in 2023 to provide grant funding for non-profit organisations that improve equitable access to STEM education, nature and community green spaces, and measures to address fuel poverty and energy-efficiency.
Applying to the Drax Foundation
The Drax Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. However, if you would like to submit an informal Expression of Interest, please contact drax.foundation@drax.com
Our impact in 2024
Learn more about our approach to community engagement in the Drax Foundation Annual Review 2024.
Community Fund
Each of the communities where Drax operates has unique needs and opportunities. Our Community Fund was established to support grassroots organisations and community-led initiatives with donations of £500 to £10,000. We are in the process of establishing local Community Advisory Panels (CAPs) to provide input into priority areas for funding and build relationships with local non-profit organisations and community groups.
Community Fund Focus areas:
- Education, life skills and employability
- Health, wellbeing, and safety
- Youth programmes
- Essential community services
- Improving community buildings and public spaces (including green spaces)
Applying to the Community Fund
Eligible organisations wishing to apply to the Community Fund should first submit an Expression of Interest. Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions prior to submitting an Expression of Interest.
Meet some of our grantees
Working with Energy Sparks to provide energy saving tools and education for school children.
Energy Sparks’ vision is a sustainable future where schools are at the heart of action to tackle climate change. They do this by equipping children and young people with the knowledge, skills and tools to take measurable action in schools and the wider community to reduce energy consumption and cut carbon emissions.
“The schools benefiting from free access to Energy Sparks’ services through Drax Foundation funding have saved around £1 million off their school energy bills and 2,100 tonnes of carbon dioxide over the last year. The ongoing funding from the Drax Foundation will allow participating schools to embed energy saving behaviours across their school communities and provide more opportunities for children and young people to develop green skills” Dr Claudia Towner Energy Sparks CEO and Programme Director
Working with Speakers for Schools to build ‘sustainable futures’ for youth in North Yorkshire.
Speakers for Schools is the UK’s leading social mobility charity. It is dedicated to levelling the playing field and improving life chances for the most disadvantaged. It does this by providing young people aged 14-19 with access to transformational career-enabling opportunities.
“Following the success of our Workspaces of the Future project, we are delighted to be supported by the Drax Foundation once again to STEM-related work experience opportunities. This allows us to provide a project based work experience engagement programme, building on all that we have learned from our previous collaboration to impact young people in Yorkshire who would otherwise not have access to such resources.” James Webster, Donor Relations Manager, Speakers for Schools
Working with Argyll Countryside Trust (ACT) to support a new ‘Rainforest Hub’ in Scotland
ACT is a community-led charity that works with the people of Argyll in the Scottish Highlands to restore nature, address climate change, and improve access to nature-based learning for children and vulnerable groups. We have been working with ACT since 2023.
“Having our own native tree nursery is a game changer for us – it allows us to ensure a healthy stock of trees with local provenance for planting for our own projects, and also provides a fantastic learning opportunity for our own and others’ Outdoor STEM projects, and for rainforest volunteers to really get involved with what rainforest restoration it all about.” Julie Young, ACT CEO
