Drax donates almost £1m to support STEM skills and community projects 

The Drax Foundation, the charitable entity of Drax Group, has donated £932,000 to 20 non-profit organisations in the UK and North America.  

This new funding brings Drax’s philanthropic funding in 2023 to more than £4.6m.

The Foundation is focused on initiatives that support education and skills development in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), and improve green spaces and enhance biodiversity within local communities, as well as access to renewable energy and energy efficiency in areas of low social mobility.

The projects funded in this round will mean over 32,000 young people can benefit from STEM training, 1,229 hectares of land will be restored or protected and over 20,000 people will receive improved access to green spaces in their communities. 

Shona King, Drax’s head of community, said: “In its first year, 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.” 

More than £300,000 of the funding has been donated to eight projects in the UK, including not-for-profit Enthuse – STEM Learning which will use the donation to facilitate partnerships in disadvantaged communities, providing STEM education for 12,800 young people. 

King added: “2023 has seen an exciting new chapter in how Drax delivers positive social impact and made a tangible difference to people’s lives. 

“We are excited about the opportunity to build on this over the coming years to ensure that more young people can develop their STEM skills, have access to quality local green spaces, and be lifted out of fuel poverty through access to affordable renewable energy, and energy efficiency measures”. 

The Foundation is now accepting applications for 2024’s first round of funding. 

Donations will be available for organisations ranging from smaller community-led projects to larger, established non-profit organisations. 

For more information, visit www.drax.com/community.