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 organisations who deliver important services in our local communities.
Community investment at Drax
The Drax Foundation
The Drax Foundation provides grants of £25,000 – £100,000 for non-profit organisations 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 programmes that benefit underserved groups and communities and find creative ways to tackle emerging issues that relate to our areas of funding. We recognise that to be impactful, non-profit organisations need core funding to innovate, fundraise and build new programmes. 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. Organisations 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 organisations and community groups that deliver programmes 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 organisations 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 £3.1 million in funding to 251 non-profit organisations and community groups in the regions where Drax operates in the UK, US, and Canada.
STEM education and future-ready skills:
- 28,140 children participating in STEM education
- 2,260 adults in skills programmes
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 organisations 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.
Business for Societal Impact (B4SI)
We recognise 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.
Meet some of our grantees
Partnering with Canal & River Trust to support community-led conservation in Yorkshire, UK.
Canal & River Trust is the UK’s largest canal charity, caring for a 2,000-mile network of rivers and canals. We are working with the Trust along the Selby Canal near the Drax Power Station to remove invasive species and install new bird boxes to support local biodiversity.
“We have been able to significantly reduce the impact of pennywort along the Selby Canal. This funding has enabled us to bring in a specialist team and equipment earlier than usual – stopping the weed before it took hold – and to purchase a floating pontoon, enabling safe access to hard-to-reach areas.” Sean McGinley, Regional Director for Yorkshire & North East, Canal & River Trust
ALIenergy works to promote sustainable energy and address fuel poverty in Scotland. We are supporting their Affordable Warmth programme, which has a 25-year track record of alleviating fuel poverty in Argyll & Bute. This year’s funding is helping 400 vulnerable households with crisis funds, energy advice and referrals to government-funded insulation and home improvement schemes.
“Drax Foundation funding has assisted some of the most vulnerable households in Argyll & Bute who are experiencing fuel poverty. It has also enabled us to provide in-school workshops on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and careers events for young people, inspiring the next generation to discover a diverse range of local employment opportunities.” Lynda Mitchell, ALIenergy
Partnering with ALIenergy to address fuel poverty in rural Scotland.
Partnering with SKILLZ to provide skills and mentoring for pre-’NEET’ youth in Yorkshire.
SKILLZ provides bespoke workshops and employability skills for youth at-risk of disengaging from education. We are working with SKILLZ in North Yorkshire to provide weekly mentoring sessions for groups of teens. The students also participated in workplace visits to Drax Power Station to understand the careers available locally within the energy sector.
“Support from the Drax Foundation enabled us to run our first 10-week employability group mentoring programme for Year 9 and 10 students across three schools. With mentors mostly from Drax, young people developed employability and soft skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, confidence, job searching, CV writing and interview skills.” Kirsty Copley, Company Director, SKILLZ
