Trustee

Are you passionate about improving the outcomes of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK?  

Are you interested in supporting the communities and local organisations of Luton?

The Steel Charitable Trust really wants to hear from people who are enthusiastic, have a philanthropic mindset and a willingness to involve themselves in aspects of charitable work that they may or may not currently know much about.

The Steel Charitable Trust is looking for a new Trustee to help provide the governance and leadership needed as we roll out our new five-year strategy.

The role does not offer remuneration, but all necessary expenses are reimbursed. It is mainly home-based.

The Steel Charitable Trust is an endowed UK-registered charity (272384) that makes grants of around £1.4m a year, to UK-registered charities and for charitable purposes. The Trust is committed to good governance and seeks to reflect the UK's diverse and multicultural society. Since its foundation in 1976 the Trust has given £37 million in grants to charities across the UK. Its website contains a full history of the Trust including its strong connection to Luton.

The Trust has two grant-making strands (each of them accounting for about 50% of its annual grant giving):

• Luton Matters: designed to bring benefits to Luton and its residents, in recognition of the Trust's roots in Luton; expressions of interest are invited for this strand, and Trustees select which organisations will be invited to make a full application.
• UK Under-26: supporting charities that work with young people up to the age of 25 in any part of the UK except Luton. The UK Under-26 strand is moving to a by invitation only model in 2026. 

Key dates

Closing date for applications: Friday 26 September 2025

First interview date for long-listed candidates (on Teams): Friday 3 October 2025

Interview date for short-listed candidates (in London): Monday 13 October 2025