Drax Foundation boosts STEM education and community initiatives with near £1 million donation
23 November 2023
The Drax Foundation, the charitable arm of renewable energy giant Drax Group, has donated £932,000 to 20 non-profit organizations operating in the UK and North America in support of STEM education and community projects.
This latest funding injection is part of Drax's commitment to philanthropy in 2023, bringing the total donated by the company this year to £4.6 million. The recipients span regions where Drax Group has a presence, including the UK, US, and Canada.
The funds will be directed towards projects designed to impact a broad spectrum of beneficiaries. Over 32,000 young people are set to benefit from STEM training, 1,229 hectares of land will be restored or protected, and more than 20,000 individuals will gain improved access to green spaces in their communities.
Shona King, Head of Community at Drax, expressed the foundation's dedication to making a positive impact in the areas where they operate. King said: "The Drax Foundation has established a proud track record of giving back to the communities where we operate. We are guided by the needs of our non-profit partners, which is why we are pleased to fund some of their challenging areas of work."
The foundation's focus revolves around supporting initiatives related to education and skills development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM), enhancing green spaces and biodiversity in local communities, and improving access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas with low social mobility.
In this funding round, projects across the UK, US, and Canada will benefit from the Drax Foundation's support. This marks the second round of grants since the foundation's launch in March 2023.
In the UK, over £300,000 has been allocated to eight projects, including support for Teach First, a charity working to end educational inequality by recruiting STEM trainee teachers. In the US, where Drax has operations in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, over US$433,000 will be distributed to seven projects, with a focus on conservation, STEM education, and climate resilience.
Canada will receive over C$457,000 for five different projects near Drax's pellet operations, supporting initiatives such as engaging and inspiring women in STEM programs and advocating for biodiversity conservation.
The Drax Foundation encourages a diverse range of organizations to apply for funding, from smaller community-led projects to larger grants of up to £100,000 for established non-profit organizations. Priority is given to initiatives that cater to under-served and under-represented groups, promote gender equality, and support indigenous communities.
Organizations interested in securing Drax Foundation funding for their projects can visit www.drax.com/community to learn more about the Foundation's criteria and submit an initial expression of interest. Applications for the first round of funding in 2024 are already being accepted.
