Building 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 reflected in Drax’s Sustainability Framework with a public commitment to partner with the communities we operate in to make a positive contribution to their lives and livelihoods. We deliver on this commitment through a blend of on-the-ground community engagement coupled with community investment, which is delivered through the Drax Foundation and our Community Fund.
Our Community and Education teams work across Drax’s operational footprint in the UK, US and Canada. This work combines educational tours of our UK power stations, the delivery of curriculum-linked STEM education in local schools, participation in local community events and listening sessions, and working in partnership with grassroots community groups and non-profit organizations who deliver important services in our local communities.
Community investment at Drax
The Drax Foundation
The Drax Foundation provides grants of up to $170,000 for non-profit organizations that address the following areas:
- STEM education and future-ready skills
- Nature and community green spaces
- Energy-efficiency and fuel poverty
We are particularly interested in programs that benefit underserved groups and communities and find creative ways to tackle emerging issues that relate to our areas of funding. We recognize that to be impactful, non-profit organizations need core funding to innovate, fundraise and build new programs. That’s why the Drax Foundation often provides funding for overhead costs and other harder-to-fundraise-for areas of work, alongside traditional project funding.
The Drax Foundation does not take unsolicited applications. Organizations that are invited to apply can do so here.
The Drax Community Fund
Each of the communities where Drax operates have unique needs and opportunities. Our Community Fund provides donations of $500-$10,000 for grassroots non-profit organizations and community groups that deliver programs and services in the following areas:
- Education, skills and employability
- Healthy communities
- Essential community services and events
- Nature and community spaces
- Low carbon communities.
Eligible non-profit organizations wishing to apply to the Community Fund review eligibility criteria and submit an application here.
How we made a difference in 2025
In 2025, we disbursed $5.7 million in funding to 251 non-profit organizations and community groups in the regions where Drax operates in Canada, US and UK.
STEM education and future-ready skills:
- 28,140 children participating in STEM education
- 2,260 adults in skills programs
Reconnecting with nature:
- 34,862 people participating in nature-based learning
- 15,000 people with improved access to nature
Energy efficiency:
- 22 schools with new LED lighting and / or solar panels
- 114,005 tonnes of CO2 saved
Fuel poverty:
- 1,060 households in fuel poverty with financial support
Community Fund:
- 190 grassroots organizations supported through our Community Fund
Community engagement:
- Participation in 937 community events, meetings and listening sessions
Educational outreach:
- 104 educational tours of Drax power stations in the UK
- 155 in-school STEM sessions delivered by Drax team
Employee engagement:
- 20% increase in employee volunteering compared to 2024
For more information see our Drax Foundation Social Impact Report 2025.
Drax Foundation Social Impact Report 2025
Business for Societal Impact (B4SI)
We recognize the importance of understanding the impact of our funding and activities. In 2024 we joined Business for Societal Impact (B4SI), the international standard for measuring corporate social impact.
Find out more in our 2025 Drax Foundation Social Impact Report here.
Partnering with our thriving communities across Canada
We work alongside communities where we operate to build strong relationships, support local priorities and create lasting social impact.
Across our operations in British Columbia and Alberta, we engage with residents, Indigenous partners, schools and community organizations to support initiatives that strengthen community wellbeing.
Partnering with Outland Youth Employment Program to improve employability skills and work experience for Indigenous youth in Canada.
The Outland Youth Employment Program (OYEP) provides Indigenous youth with education, skills training and work experience through immersive summer camps and year-round programming. Through the Drax Foundation, we partnered with OYEP during its summer camp program, where employees from our Meadowbank operation led hands-on activities on pellet production and renewable energy, introducing participants to real-world applications and potential career pathways in the industry.
Supporting food access and community wellbeing in Alberta.
In Entwistle, Drax has partnered with local elementary schools since 2020 to support monthly hot lunch programs, helping provide meals to students across the communities. We also support the WEE Community Food Bank, contributing to food access for local families. In High Level, we work with organizations such as the High Level Native Friendship Centre, supporting both food and health and wellness resources to help address community needs and improve access to essential services.
Advancing education, outdoor learning and community spaces across our operations in Southern Interior British Columbia
Across the region, our partnership with Science World On The Road has delivered hands-on STEAM programming to communities, expanding access to interactive science education for students throughout operating communities in the Southern Interior.
In Armstrong, this includes infrastructure improvements at Highland Park Elementary and the development of a learning garden at Armstrong Elementary, creative hands-on learning opportunities for students. In Lavington, we supported outdoor learning at Lavington Elementary through the addition of picnic tables, creating a shared space for students and the broader community.
In Princeton, we contributed to a new park and playground at Vermilion Forks Elementary and supported the kitchen construction at John Allison Elementary, helping sustain cooking programs and school meal initiatives. Through the Drax Foundation, this work also enabled Scientists in School to deliver hands-on STEM workshops at John Allison Elementary, bringing interactive science learning directly into the classroom.
Strengthening environmental stewardship and sustainable practices across our communities in Northern British Columbia
Our initiatives Northern British Columbia, including Smithers, Houston and Burns Lake, focus on protecting local ecosystems and building resilience to climate-related impacts. Through the Drax Foundation, working with Living Lakes Society Canada supports watershed monitoring and biodiversity protection across the Nechako region.
Partnerships with Indigenous communities, including Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nation and Cheslatta Carrier Nation in the Burns Lake area, focus on advancing wildfire preparedness through innovative technologies, training and community-led approaches. Together, these efforts reflect our shared commitment to climate solutions, community resilience and Indigenous-led innovation that contributes to a more sustainable and secure future.
