What is a charity trustee?
Find out about the role of a charity trustee, what they do and the benefits of getting involved.
Applies to England and Wales
Charity trustees are volunteers who lead a charity and decide together how it is run. They are responsible for making sure their charity does what it was set up to do.
Trustees can also be known as directors, board members, governors or committee members.
As part of a trustee board, you can directly shape organisations that tackle society’s biggest challenges.
Trusteeship can help you:
- bring your passions to life – use your skills to make a difference to a cause you care about
- play a crucial role in the charity sector – help deliver a positive impact to those in need and across communities
- develop skills in leadership, problem-solving and decision making
- expand your professional network and enhance your career prospects
What trustees do
Trustees work together to make sure their charity:
- has clear priorities and plans
- follows its purposes (does what it was set up to do)
- has the money it needs and manages its resources responsibly
- operates effectively
- follows its rules and the law
What this involves
As a charity trustee, you should expect to attend trustee meetings and make decisions about your charity.
Most trustee roles require just a couple of hours a month, though the role varies by charity size.
In smaller charities, trustees may run operations. In larger charities, trustees focus on strategy while staff handle daily work.
Most trustees don’t get paid for their role, but you can often claim reasonable expenses like travel or childcare.
To learn more about trustee duties, our ‘5-minute guides’ cover the basics that all charity trustees are responsible for.
Benefits of becoming a trustee
Becoming a trustee provides an opportunity to play a vital role in the charity sector. Charities cannot do their job without them.
It offers a way to bring your passions to life and make a difference to a cause you care about.
The role can help you develop skills in leadership, problem solving and decision-making. It can also help you expand your professional network and enhance your career prospects.
Who can become a charity trustee
Almost anyone can be a trustee: you should not need special qualifications or years of charity experience.
Charities are often looking for a mix of skills, backgrounds and real-life experiences on their boards to help strengthen their collective expertise and decision-making.
Think about the transferable skills and experience you may already have. For example, from work or other areas of life such as running projects or being responsible for budgets.
You must be aged:
- 18 or over
- 16 or over, if the charity is set up as a charitable company or a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
Some people cannot legally be trustees: see the list of disqualifying reasons.
Getting started
Find the right opportunity for you:
- consider your passions, skills and experience – and find trustee volunteering opportunities to match
- think about how being a trustee could fit into your life, work and personal commitments. Our welcome pack for new trustees can help you understand in more detail what to expect when you begin
- tailor your CV to the charity’s needs, making sure to highlight your transferable skills.