2026 Oaky Creek Coal Community Investment Round 2 (Australia)

Glencore Coal’s Community Investment Program provides grants to eligible not-for-profit organisations for community initiatives benefiting areas surrounding Glencore’s mining operations, including the Oaky Creek Coal region in Queensland. Funding supports projects focused on health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and other demonstrated local needs, with grants generally capped at $1,000 per organisation.

What Is the Glencore Coal Community Investment Program?

The Glencore Coal Community Investment Program supports community organisations implementing projects that create positive social, environmental, educational, and wellbeing outcomes in communities surrounding Glencore’s coal operations.

The program focuses particularly on initiatives that:

Address an identified local community need.
Deliver direct benefits to residents.
Encourage strong community participation.
Improve community wellbeing and development.
Support sustainable outcomes rather than ongoing dependence on Glencore funding.

The Oaky Creek Coal region in Queensland is among the areas targeted by the program.

What Projects Does the Program Support?

Proposed initiatives must align with at least one recognised priority area.

Health

Projects may address community health and wellbeing needs and improve access to beneficial local activities or services.

Environment

Environmental initiatives that provide meaningful benefits to local communities may be considered.

Education and Training

Projects supporting education, skills development, training opportunities, and learning outcomes can be eligible.

Indigenous Communities

Initiatives that provide positive outcomes for Indigenous communities are supported within the program’s community investment objectives.

Identified Local Needs

Projects outside the listed categories may also be considered when applicants can demonstrate a clear, substantiated need within the local community.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The maximum funding normally available is $1,000 per organisation.

However, requests for higher amounts may be considered where the project demonstrates:

Strong community benefit.
Clear local need.
Good value for money.
Strong community participation.
A credible implementation plan.

Higher funding is therefore not guaranteed and will depend on the merits of the proposal.

Project Duration

Funded projects generally must be completed within 12 months from the time funding is provided.

Multi-year projects may be considered only where a specific multi-year arrangement has been approved.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their proposed activities can realistically be delivered within the approved timeframe.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the program’s organisational and community-benefit requirements.

Eligible applicants are generally:

Not-for-profit organisations.
Incorporated organisations.
Organisations with a separate, auditable bank account.
Organisations capable of managing and delivering the proposed project professionally.

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

For the Oaky Creek Coal focus, applicants should clearly demonstrate the connection between their proposed activities and the surrounding Queensland community.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not normally support:

Individuals.
For-profit organisations.
Political activities.
Religious activities.
Core operating costs.
Overseas appeals.
Research projects.
Projects that have already been completed.

Applicants should also avoid proposals that would make the organisation dependent on continuing Glencore funding.

What Makes a Strong Application?

A competitive application should clearly explain what local problem the project addresses, who will benefit, what activities will be delivered, and what measurable community outcomes are expected.

Strong proposals should demonstrate:

A clearly identified community need.
Direct and broad community benefit.
Meaningful community participation.
Realistic project objectives.
Appropriate use of funding.
Organisational capacity to deliver the project.
A clear project completion timeframe.
Financial sustainability beyond the grant period.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their proposal around the program’s eligibility and community investment priorities.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that your organisation is:

Not-for-profit.
Incorporated.
Operating with a separate auditable bank account.
Able to manage the project professionally.
Serving a community in or around a Glencore operational area.

Step 2: Identify the Local Need

Clearly explain the problem your project will address.

Use community evidence, local consultation, existing data, or other relevant information where available.

Step 3: Define the Project

Describe:

Project objectives.
Target beneficiaries.
Planned activities.
Location.
Project timeframe.
Expected outcomes.

Step 4: Connect the Project to a Priority Area

Show how the project contributes to at least one of the program’s focus areas:

Health.
Environment.
Education and training.
Indigenous communities.
Another substantiated local need.

Step 5: Prepare the Budget

Explain how the requested funding will be used and demonstrate that the costs are reasonable.

If requesting more than the usual $1,000 limit, provide a particularly strong justification for the additional funding.

Step 6: Demonstrate Sustainability

Explain how the project will continue to provide value after the grant period and show that the organisation will not become reliant on ongoing Glencore support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Requesting funding for core operating costs: The program is intended for community initiatives rather than general organisational expenses.
Failing to demonstrate local benefit: Clearly identify which Glencore community will benefit.
Providing a weak needs statement: Explain why the project is necessary and how the need has been identified.
Ignoring the funding limit: Requests above $1,000 require a strong merit-based justification.
Proposing an already completed project: Completed activities are not eligible.
Relying on Glencore for future funding: Demonstrate financial sustainability.
Submitting a research-focused proposal: Research projects are excluded.
Including political or religious activities: These are not supported under the program.

Why This Grant Matters

The Community Investment Program provides an opportunity for local not-for-profit organisations to address practical community needs with relatively small amounts of targeted funding.

For organisations working around Oaky Creek Coal and other Glencore operational communities in Queensland, the program can support initiatives that strengthen health, education, environmental outcomes, Indigenous community outcomes, and broader community wellbeing.

The strongest projects are those that combine a clearly demonstrated local need, strong community involvement, practical delivery, and measurable benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Glencore Coal Community Investment Program?

It is a community funding program that supports not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that benefit communities surrounding Glencore’s mining operations.

How much can an organisation apply for?

Funding is generally capped at $1,000 per organisation, although higher requests may be considered based on project merit and community value.

Can organisations request more than $1,000?

Yes. Higher-value applications may be considered, but approval depends on the merits of the project and the benefits it provides to the community.

What areas can projects focus on?

Priority areas include health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and other substantiated local needs.

How long must projects take?

Projects generally need to be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Multi-year projects require specific approval.

Can individuals apply?

No. The program is intended for eligible not-for-profit incorporated organisations rather than individuals.

Are research projects eligible?

No. Research projects are specifically excluded from support under the program.

Conclusion

The Glencore Coal Community Investment Program offers targeted financial support for not-for-profit organisations delivering practical community initiatives in areas surrounding Glencore’s Queensland operations, including the Oaky Creek Coal region. Organisations with a clear local need, strong community participation, realistic project plans, and measurable benefits should ensure their proposals demonstrate both immediate community value and long-term sustainability.