The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Caledonian Exchange, 19A Canning Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EG.
Small Charities Week: a snapshot of the subsector
Small charities are the backbone of Scotland’s voluntary sector. Rooted in their communities, they provide trusted support, create opportunities, bring people together and respond to local needs every day. As we celebrate Small Charity Week, it is the perfect opportunity to recognise the remarkable contribution of Scotland’s smallest voluntary organisations and the people who run them.
The latest findings from the Scottish Third Sector Tracker show that organisations with an annual income of £100,000 or less continue to face significant challenges. Fundraising remains a concern for 43% of small organisations, while 39% report volunteer shortages and a third cite rising costs as a major challenge. Recruiting volunteers is a particular pressure, with 58% of small organisations experiencing difficulties.
Despite this, Scotland’s small charities continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. Over the past six months, more than one in five (22%) delivered more services than they had planned. A further third (33%) delivered everything they set out to achieve, while 39% delivered most of what they had planned. These figures reflect the commitment and adaptability that small organisations bring to their communities.
The tracker also points to a positive outlook. More than a third (36%) of small organisations expect to expand their services in the future, compared with 32% across the sector as a whole. Only 6% anticipate reducing services. At a time when many organisations are balancing increasing demand with limited resources, this speaks volumes about the dedication of small organisations to communities across Scotland.
Small organisations are often the first to identify emerging needs and the closest to the people they support. Their impact extends far beyond their size, helping to build stronger, fairer and more connected communities across the country.
At SCVO, we're proud to support small charities and community groups throughout the year. Organisations with an annual income of up to £100,000 can get free SCVO membership, giving them access to information, practical support, training opportunities, funding information and a network of peers across the sector.
This Small Charity Week, we celebrate the volunteers, trustees and staff who make small charities such a vital part of Scotland’s communities. Their work matters, their impact is significant, and they deserve recognition not just this week, but all year round.
