Steve Burne Charitable Trust

The Steve Burne Charitable Trust, founded in February 2018 by Manchester businessman Stephen Burne, is a family-led grant-making foundation dedicated to perpetuating his legacy through compassionate support for charities that aided him and his family during his illness. Governed by five family trustees, it channels funds to alleviate hardship for families, children, and vulnerable individuals, emphasizing direct practical help in health, family welfare, and community relief—particularly in Greater Manchester and the North West. Its distinctive relational, commemorative approach prioritizes established partners aligned with the founder's personal experiences, such as ongoing deep ties to Ronald McDonald House Manchester (funding gardens and enhancements) and The Christie Hospital for cancer care.

The Trust funds initiatives addressing cancer care, childhood illness, family crises, bereavement, poverty, and child welfare, supporting organizations like The Joshua Tree, Cash for Kids, local food banks, Cloverlea Primary School, and Wood Street Mission. Grants cover project work, core costs, and small capital improvements delivering tangible comfort and essential services to those in need, with a focus on grassroots efforts for children, families, and the ill.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, preferably small to medium-sized (under £1M income) offering direct support, though the Trust does not accept unsolicited applications—funding is awarded discretionarily to known partners on a rolling basis at biannual trustee meetings. Typical grants range from £2,000 to £20,000 (mostly £5,000–£15,000), with no formal deadlines or online processes. It excludes frontline service delivery, large-scale capital projects, and unconnected causes, differentiating itself through agile, impact-driven decisions rooted in family values and Manchester heritage.