Apply Now: 2026 Wandoan Community Investment Round 2 (Australia)

The Wandoan Community Investment Program, delivered through Glencore Coal’s Community Investment Program, provides funding to eligible not-for-profit organisations for projects that benefit communities in Glencore’s Queensland operational areas. Priority areas include health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and identified local or regional needs, with standard funding generally capped at $2,500 per organisation.

What Is the Wandoan Community Investment Program?

The Wandoan Community Investment Program supports community initiatives that create positive and sustainable outcomes in communities surrounding Glencore’s Queensland operations.

The program is intended to help local organisations respond to demonstrated community needs and deliver projects that provide direct benefits to residents.

Projects should demonstrate meaningful community involvement and contribute to long-term community development.

What Are the Funding Priorities?

Eligible projects must address at least one of the program’s priority areas.

These include:

Health: Projects that improve community health and wellbeing.
Environment: Activities that protect, improve, or raise awareness of the local environment.
Education and training: Initiatives that provide learning, skills development, or training opportunities.
Indigenous communities: Projects supporting Indigenous communities and their priorities.
Identified local or regional needs: Initiatives addressing a clearly demonstrated need within the community.

How Much Funding Is Available?

The standard maximum funding amount is generally $2,500 per organisation.

However, applications requesting more than $2,500 may be considered where the project demonstrates strong merit and significant value to the community.

Applicants seeking only partial funding must have the remaining project costs secured from other funding sources before applying.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is intended for not-for-profit, incorporated organisations that can demonstrate the capacity to manage and deliver their proposed projects.

Eligible organisations must:

Be incorporated as a not-for-profit organisation.
Maintain a separate, auditable bank account.
Have the organisational capacity to manage the project professionally.
Deliver a project that primarily benefits an eligible Queensland community.
Address a demonstrated community need.
Complete the project within the required timeframe unless a multi-year arrangement has been approved.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The program does not support applications from:

Individuals.
For-profit organisations.
Political activities or organisations.
Religious activities.
Projects that are the responsibility of government.
Projects that have already been completed.
Projects that do not primarily benefit eligible communities.

Applicants should also ensure that their proposed activity fits within the program’s community investment priorities.

What Types of Projects Can Be Supported?

The program can support a broad range of community initiatives where they demonstrate a clear local benefit.

Potential projects may include activities related to:

Community health and wellbeing.
Environmental improvement.
Educational opportunities.
Skills and training.
Indigenous community initiatives.
Other clearly identified local or regional priorities.

The strongest proposals are likely to demonstrate a clear connection between the project and a genuine community need.

Why Does the Program Matter?

Community investment can help local organisations address needs that may otherwise remain under-resourced.

The program encourages organisations to develop initiatives that:

Respond to demonstrated community priorities.
Involve local residents.
Create direct community benefits.
Strengthen community participation.
Support sustainable local development.
Address health, environmental, educational, or social needs.

Project Duration

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

A longer implementation period may be possible where a multi-year project has been approved.

Applicants should therefore develop a realistic project timeline and demonstrate that the proposed activities can be delivered within the approved period.

How to Prepare an Application

Step 1: Confirm Organisational Eligibility

Ensure that your organisation is incorporated, operates on a not-for-profit basis, and has a separate auditable bank account.

Step 2: Identify the Community Need

Clearly explain the local or regional problem the project will address.

Where possible, support the need with evidence such as community consultation, local data, previous project experience, or documented demand.

Step 3: Define the Project

Explain:

What activities will be delivered.
Who will benefit.
Where the project will take place.
How many people are expected to benefit.
When activities will be completed.

Step 4: Connect the Project to a Priority Area

Show how the initiative contributes to at least one funding focus:

Health.
Environment.
Education and training.
Indigenous communities.
Identified local or regional need.

Step 5: Develop a Realistic Budget

Clearly identify project costs and the amount requested from Glencore.

If the project requires funding from other sources, confirm that the remaining costs have been secured before submitting the application.

Step 6: Demonstrate Community Impact

Explain the measurable or practical benefits that residents will receive from the project.

Strong applications should show why the proposed activity represents good value for the community.

Tips for Applicants

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Clearly demonstrating a genuine community need.
Providing evidence of community involvement.
Identifying specific beneficiaries.
Setting realistic and measurable outcomes.
Linking activities directly to the program priorities.
Demonstrating strong financial management.
Providing a realistic implementation timetable.
Explaining how the project will remain sustainable where appropriate.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Requesting funding for a project that has already been completed.
Applying as an individual rather than an eligible organisation.
Failing to demonstrate a genuine community need.
Providing an unclear or unrealistic budget.
Applying for partial funding without securing the remaining costs.
Proposing activities that are primarily government responsibilities.
Failing to explain who will benefit from the project.
Designing a project that cannot realistically be completed within 12 months.

Key Details at a Glance

Programme: Wandoan Community Investment Program
Funder: Glencore Coal
Location: Queensland, Australia
Applicant type: Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
Standard maximum funding: $2,500 per organisation
Higher funding: May be considered based on merit and community value
Priority areas: Health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and identified local or regional needs
Project duration: Generally within 12 months of funding
Partial funding: Remaining project costs must be secured before applying
Main objective: Sustainable community development and positive local impact

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Wandoan Community Investment Program?

The Wandoan Community Investment Program provides financial support to eligible not-for-profit organisations for projects that deliver positive outcomes in communities surrounding Glencore’s Queensland operations.

How much funding can an organisation receive?

Funding is generally capped at $2,500 per organisation. Higher funding requests may be considered where the proposed project demonstrates strong merit and significant community value.

Who can apply for the program?

Eligible applicants are incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a separate, auditable bank account and the capacity to manage the proposed project professionally.

What projects are prioritised?

Projects addressing health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, or identified local and regional needs are eligible for consideration.

Can an organisation request partial project funding?

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

How long does a funded project have to run?

Projects are generally expected to be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Multi-year projects may be supported where they have been approved in advance.

Who cannot apply?

Individuals, for-profit organisations, political or religious activities, projects that are government responsibilities, and projects that have already been completed are not eligible.

Conclusion

The Wandoan Community Investment Program provides an opportunity for eligible Queensland not-for-profit organisations to secure funding for practical projects that address genuine community needs. With standard grants of up to $2,500, the program is particularly suited to smaller initiatives delivering clear benefits in health, environmental sustainability, education, Indigenous communities, or other identified local priorities.

Applicants should focus on demonstrating community need, local involvement, organisational capacity, realistic costs, and measurable benefits while ensuring that the proposed project meets all eligibility and completion requirements.