Deadline: 15-Dec-26
The Glencore Coal Community Investment Program provides community grants of up to $5,000 to eligible not-for-profit organisations delivering projects in the Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Mid-Western Local Government Areas of New South Wales. Funding supports initiatives addressing demonstrated local needs in areas including health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and other identified community priorities.
What Is the Glencore Coal Community Investment Program?
The Glencore Coal Community Investment Program supports community organisations located in areas surrounding Glencore’s mining operations in New South Wales.
The program is designed to fund projects that deliver measurable and meaningful benefits to local communities.
Priority is given to initiatives that:
- Address a demonstrated or substantiated community need.
- Provide clear benefits to local residents.
- Involve the community.
- Have realistic and sustainable budgets.
- Can be professionally managed by the applicant organisation.
Where Can Projects Be Delivered?
Projects must primarily benefit communities within at least one of the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):
- Singleton
- Muswellbrook
- Mid-Western
All proposed activities should demonstrate a clear connection to one or more of these eligible communities.
What Funding Is Available?
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $5,000.
Applications are assessed on their:
- Community value.
- Relevance to local needs.
- Project quality.
- Community involvement.
- Financial sustainability.
- Organisational capacity.
Larger funding requests may be considered where the applicant discusses the proposal with Glencore before submitting the application.
What Projects Does the Program Support?
Projects must address at least one recognised programme focus area.
Health
Funding may support initiatives that improve community health, wellbeing, participation, or access to relevant services and activities.
Environment
Projects can address local environmental priorities and encourage better environmental outcomes.
Education and Training
Eligible activities may support education, skills development, training opportunities, and community learning.
Indigenous Communities
Projects benefiting Indigenous communities are included among the programme’s priority areas.
Identified Local Need
Projects may also be considered where they address another clearly demonstrated need affecting an eligible local community.
Applicants should provide evidence or a clear explanation demonstrating why the proposed project is needed.
Why Does the Grant Matter?
Community organisations often identify local needs but lack sufficient funding to implement small-scale projects.
The Glencore grant provides financial support for initiatives that can produce tangible community benefits without requiring organisations to rely on long-term corporate funding.
The programme encourages organisations to develop projects that are:
- Locally relevant.
- Community-driven.
- Financially responsible.
- Sustainable.
- Capable of delivering measurable outcomes.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet specific organisational and project requirements.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be not-for-profit organisations.
- Be incorporated.
- Have a separate auditable bank account.
- Have the organisational capacity to manage the proposed project professionally.
- Deliver a project that primarily benefits an eligible community.
- Address a substantiated community need.
- Demonstrate financial sustainability.
The organisation should also be able to provide appropriate documentation relating to project expenditure and outcomes if required.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The programme does not support applications from:
- Individuals.
- For-profit organisations.
- Political activities.
- Religious activities.
- Projects that have already been completed.
- Projects without secured funding for their total required costs.
- Projects that depend on continuing Glencore funding to remain financially viable.
Applicants should ensure that their proposal complies with all eligibility requirements before submission.
What Costs or Projects Are Likely to Be Supported?
The programme is focused on activities that create positive outcomes for eligible communities.
A proposal should clearly explain:
- What the project will deliver.
- Who will benefit.
- What local problem it addresses.
- How the project will involve the community.
- How the grant will be used.
- What other funding is available.
- How the project will remain sustainable.
How Much Time Do Applicants Have to Apply?
Applications must generally be received at least eight weeks before the planned implementation date, or within the applicable funding-round timeframe.
Applicants should therefore begin preparing their proposals well before the intended project start date.
How Long Must Projects Take?
Projects are generally expected to be completed within 12 months from the time of funding.
A longer or multi-year project may be considered if it receives approval from Glencore in advance.
Applicants proposing a multi-year initiative should discuss the project with Glencore before submitting their application.
What If the Project Has Other Funding Sources?
Projects seeking only partial funding from Glencore must have the remaining project costs secured from other sources before applying.
Applicants should therefore clearly identify:
- Total project cost.
- Amount requested from Glencore.
- Contributions from other funders.
- Confirmed or secured funding.
- Any in-kind contributions, where relevant.
This demonstrates that the project is financially viable.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Your Organisation’s Eligibility
Check that your organisation:
- Is incorporated.
- Operates as a not-for-profit.
- Has a separate auditable bank account.
- Can professionally manage the project.
Step 2: Confirm the Location
Make sure the project primarily benefits residents or communities in:
- Singleton LGA.
- Muswellbrook LGA.
- Mid-Western LGA.
Step 3: Identify the Community Need
Clearly explain the local issue your project will address.
Use relevant evidence, community feedback, research, service data, or other information where available.
Step 4: Define the Project
Explain:
- What activities will take place.
- Who will participate.
- Who will benefit.
- Where activities will occur.
- When the project will be delivered.
- What outcomes are expected.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Provide a realistic project budget and clearly identify the amount requested from Glencore.
If other funding is required, confirm that those funds are secured before submission.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
Applications should be submitted within the relevant funding round and generally at least eight weeks before project implementation.
If requesting more than $5,000, discuss the proposal with Glencore before submitting.
Step 7: Deliver and Report
Successful applicants will enter into a project agreement with Glencore.
The agreement may require the organisation to provide:
- A project report.
- An expenditure statement.
- Other documentation demonstrating completion and use of funds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying for a project outside the three eligible LGAs.
- Failing to demonstrate a genuine local need.
- Applying as an individual rather than an eligible organisation.
- Requesting funding for a completed project.
- Applying before securing other funds required to complete the project.
- Providing an unrealistic budget.
- Relying on Glencore for ongoing project funding.
- Submitting too close to the planned implementation date.
- Failing to explain how the wider community will benefit.
Tips for a Strong Application
A competitive proposal should be concise but evidence-based.
Focus on:
- Community need: Explain the problem clearly.
- Local impact: Identify the people and communities who will benefit.
- Community participation: Show how residents will be involved.
- Practical outcomes: State what the project will achieve.
- Financial sustainability: Explain how the project will remain viable.
- Value for money: Demonstrate that the requested funding will produce meaningful results.
- Organisational capacity: Show that your organisation can deliver and report on the project effectively.
Key Details at a Glance
- Program: Glencore Coal Community Investment Program
- Funder: Glencore
- Location: New South Wales, Australia
- Eligible LGAs: Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Mid-Western
- Maximum standard grant: $5,000
- Larger requests: May be considered following prior discussion with Glencore
- Applicant type: Incorporated not-for-profit organisations
- Focus areas: Health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, and identified local needs
- Typical project duration: Up to 12 months
- Multi-year projects: Possible with advance approval
- Application timing: Generally at least 8 weeks before implementation
- Partial funding: Remaining costs must be secured before applying
- Reporting: Project report and expenditure statement may be required
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Glencore Community Investment Program?
Eligible applicants are incorporated not-for-profit organisations with a separate auditable bank account and the capacity to manage the proposed project professionally.
How much funding can organisations receive?
Standard applications can request up to $5,000. Larger requests may be considered if the applicant discusses the proposal with Glencore before submission.
Where must the project take place?
The project must primarily benefit a community within Singleton, Muswellbrook, or Mid-Western Local Government Area in New South Wales.
What types of projects are supported?
Projects should address a demonstrated community need and fall within areas such as health, environment, education and training, Indigenous communities, or another identified local priority.
Can individuals apply?
No. The programme is intended for eligible not-for-profit organisations. Individuals and for-profit organisations are not eligible.
Can a project receive partial funding from Glencore?
Yes. However, if Glencore is providing only part of the project’s cost, the applicant must have the remaining funding secured before applying.
When should an application be submitted?
Applications should generally be received at least eight weeks before the planned implementation date or within the applicable funding-round timeframe. Applicants should allow sufficient time for assessment and contracting.
Conclusion
The Glencore Coal Community Investment Program offers small community grants of up to $5,000 to help eligible not-for-profit organisations deliver meaningful projects in Singleton, Muswellbrook, and Mid-Western NSW.
The strongest proposals will demonstrate a clear local need, strong community benefit, realistic financial planning, and the capacity to deliver measurable outcomes. Organisations should also ensure that required co-funding is secured and submit applications well before the planned project start date.
For more information, visit Glencore.