2026 Newlands Coal Community Investment Program Round 2 (Australia)

The Newlands Coal Community Investment Program, delivered through Glencore Coal’s Community Investment Program, provides grants of generally up to $5,000 to eligible incorporated not-for-profit organisations supporting communities in Glencore’s Queensland operational regions. Funding is available for projects addressing health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and identified local needs, with priority given to initiatives that demonstrate community involvement and clear local benefits.

What Is the Newlands Coal Community Investment Program?

The Newlands Coal Community Investment Program supports community projects in areas surrounding Glencore’s Queensland mining operations.

The program aims to contribute to sustainable community development by funding initiatives that respond to genuine local needs and create positive outcomes for residents.

Projects should demonstrate:

A clearly identified community need.
Direct benefits for local residents.
Strong community participation.
Alignment with one or more programme focus areas.
Appropriate financial planning.
The applicant’s capacity to deliver the project professionally.

What Are the Program’s Focus Areas?

Projects must align with at least one recognised focus area.

Health

Projects can support initiatives that improve community health, wellbeing, participation, or access to appropriate activities and services.

Environment

Environmental projects may address local environmental priorities and encourage sustainable practices or improvements.

Education and Training

Funding can support initiatives that provide educational opportunities, skills development, training, or capacity building for community members.

Indigenous Communities

Projects that benefit Indigenous communities are included within the programme’s priority areas.

Identified Local Need

Projects may also be considered when they address another clearly demonstrated need within an eligible Queensland community.

Applicants should explain the nature of the need and how their proposed project will respond to it.

Why Does the Program Matter?

Community organisations frequently identify important local issues but may not have sufficient resources to implement community-based solutions.

The Newlands Community Investment Program provides financial assistance for practical initiatives that can deliver measurable local benefits.

The program particularly encourages projects that:

Respond to genuine community priorities.
Involve local residents.
Strengthen community outcomes.
Promote sustainable development.
Provide direct and practical benefits.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The standard maximum funding amount is $5,000 per application.

The funding limit is intended to allow multiple organisations and community initiatives to receive support.

If a project requires more than $5,000, applicants are encouraged to contact Glencore before applying to discuss the project’s funding requirements.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the programme’s organisational and project requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

Be a not-for-profit organisation.
Be incorporated.
Maintain a separate, auditable bank account.
Have the organisational capacity to manage the project professionally.
Propose a project that primarily benefits an eligible Glencore Queensland community.
Address a substantiated local need.
Demonstrate appropriate financial sustainability.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The programme does not support applications from:

Individuals.
For-profit organisations.
Political activities or organisations where the proposal relates to political activity.
Religious activities.
Projects that are the responsibility of government.
Core organisational operating costs.
Projects that have already been completed.
Other activities excluded under the programme’s funding requirements.

Applicants should review the current programme conditions before submitting an application.

Where Must Projects Benefit Communities?

The project must primarily benefit at least one community in an area where Glencore operates in Queensland.

Applicants should demonstrate the connection between their project and the relevant local community.

A proposal with no clear benefit to an eligible Glencore operational community is unlikely to meet the programme’s objectives.

How Long Can a Project Run?

Projects are generally expected to be completed within 12 months of receiving funding.

Multi-year projects may be considered where they receive approval in advance.

Applicants proposing a longer-term project should contact Glencore before applying to discuss whether the project can be considered.

Can Glencore Fund Part of a Project?

Yes, but applicants seeking partial funding must have the remaining project costs secured from other sources before applying.

The application should clearly identify:

Total project cost.
Amount requested from Glencore.
Other funding sources.
Confirmed contributions.
How the entire project will be financed.

This helps demonstrate that the proposed project is financially viable.

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Your Organisation

Confirm that your organisation is:

Not-for-profit.
Incorporated.
Operating with a separate auditable bank account.
Capable of professionally managing the proposed project.

Step 2: Confirm the Community Benefit

Identify the Queensland community where the project will be delivered and explain how local residents will benefit.

Step 3: Identify the Need

Provide a clear explanation of the local issue or need the project will address.

Where possible, support the need with community consultation, local data, stakeholder feedback, or other relevant evidence.

Step 4: Develop the Project

Describe:

Project activities.
Target beneficiaries.
Community participation.
Expected outcomes.
Implementation timeframe.
Project location.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget and state the amount being requested from Glencore.

If the project requires additional funding, confirm those funds before submitting the application.

Step 6: Contact Glencore for Larger Requests

If the project requires more than the standard $5,000 limit, contact Glencore before submitting the application to discuss the funding requirement.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Submit the completed application according to the programme’s current application process and requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Applying as an individual.
Applying for a for-profit activity.
Failing to demonstrate a genuine local need.
Proposing a project that does not benefit an eligible Queensland community.
Requesting funding for core operating expenses.
Applying for a project that has already been completed.
Seeking funding for activities that are primarily a government responsibility.
Applying for partial project funding without securing the remaining costs.
Failing to explain community involvement.
Submitting a project budget that does not demonstrate financial sustainability.

Tips for a Strong Application

A strong proposal should clearly connect the community need, proposed activities, beneficiaries, outcomes, and budget.

Applicants should:

Explain the problem in specific terms.
Show evidence that the community needs the project.
Describe how residents will participate.
Identify measurable outcomes.
Demonstrate value for money.
Provide a realistic implementation timeline.
Explain how the project will remain sustainable.
Clearly connect the project to one or more programme focus areas.

Key Details at a Glance

Program: Newlands Coal Community Investment Program
Funder: Glencore Coal
Country: Australia
State: Queensland
Applicant type: Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
Standard maximum grant: $5,000
Larger requests: Applicants should contact Glencore before applying
Focus areas: Health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and identified local needs
Location requirement: Project must primarily benefit a community where Glencore operates in Queensland
Typical project period: Up to 12 months
Multi-year projects: May be considered with prior approval
Partial funding: Remaining costs must already be secured
Community involvement: Expected
Completed projects: Not eligible

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Newlands Coal Community Investment Program?

The programme is open to incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a separate auditable bank account and the capacity to manage their proposed projects professionally.

How much funding can applicants request?

The standard maximum is $5,000 per application. Applicants requiring a larger contribution should contact Glencore to discuss their project before submitting an application.

What types of projects can receive funding?

Projects should address a demonstrated local need and align with health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, or another identified local priority.

Where must the project benefit?

The project must primarily benefit at least one community where Glencore operates in Queensland.

Can the grant fund only part of a project?

Yes. However, applicants must have the remaining project costs secured from other funding sources before applying.

Can funding be used for core operating costs?

No. Core operating costs are among the activities excluded from funding. Applicants should ensure that their request relates directly to an eligible community project.

How long does a funded project have to be completed?

Projects are generally expected to be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Multi-year projects may be considered if approved in advance.

Conclusion

The Newlands Coal Community Investment Program provides an opportunity for eligible Queensland not-for-profit organisations to secure funding for practical projects that strengthen local communities.

With standard grants of up to $5,000, the programme is particularly suited to community initiatives that can demonstrate a genuine local need, strong community involvement, clear outcomes, and a direct benefit to communities surrounding Glencore’s Queensland operations. Applicants should ensure that their organisation and project meet the eligibility requirements and that any additional project funding is secured before submission.