Steel Charitable Trust

Steel Charitable Trust advances meaningful change through strategic grantmaking to UK charities, rooted in a dual commitment to place-based regeneration in Luton and levelling up opportunities for young people nationwide. Core values emphasize good governance, volunteer leadership, equality, diversity, inclusion, pragmatic resource stewardship, and evidence-based impact, believing sustainable transformation arises from addressing root needs via strong partnerships, core funding support, and interventions that enhance life chances, community strength, and equitable access for disadvantaged groups.

Thematic priorities span Luton Matters, funding community-led initiatives like heritage preservation, arts engagement, inclusive health programs, environmental action, and social cohesion projects tackling local disadvantage, poverty, social isolation, and barriers to wellbeing for Luton residents including families, children, young people, and marginalized communities. The United Kingdom Under-26 Fund targets children and young people aged up to 25 facing economic disadvantage, social marginalisation, or risks to future outcomes, supporting educational access programs, after-school clubs, mentoring, skills training, employability pathways, youth mental health counselling, therapeutic activities, peer support groups, employment training for care leavers and excluded youth, early intervention for ADHD, learning disabilities, and complex needs, alongside outreach, advocacy, and inclusive sports or creative arts to boost attainment, resilience, confidence, and community integration through person-centred, preventative, trauma-informed approaches.

Exclusions encompass grants outside Luton or under-26 youth themes, statutory services, or organizations lacking robust governance and impact evidence; no support for individuals, political activities, or non-UK charities. Distinctives include deep Luton-embedded place-based focus alongside national youth levelling up, willingness to fund core costs, revenue, capital, and unrestricted support, preference for diverse, inclusive organizations demonstrating intergenerational equity, volunteer-driven leadership, and measurable outcomes in education, employment, mental health, and social mobility for economically disadvantaged young people, care leavers, and socially excluded families.