Third Sector Resilience Fund - summary of submissions to the Local Government and Communities Committee. (May 2020)
This paper summarises the responses to the Local Government and Communities Committee’s call to Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) to submit views on the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF).
The Committee received 17 submissions from TSIs across Scotland, as well a joint submission from SCVO, Firstport, Social Investment Scotland and Corra Foundation.
Awareness of TSRF and other support: Most TSIs reported high levels of awareness of the Third Sector Resilience Fund (TSRF). Some TSIs highlighted a difference in awareness levels between medium/large organisations and some of the newer and smaller organisations.
Application process and eligibility criteria: Most responses highlighted some issues with the process and criteria. These mainly relate to: Organisations with healthy cash reserves being ineligible for funding; deadlines being tight, requiring organisations to act quickly; lack of clarity in the criteria and problems with the language used in the application process; problems caused with the application form being online only.
Information on rejected applications: Several TSIs raised concerns that the TSRF has inadvertently discouraged innovation and has penalised organisations for adapting services to changed circumstances.
Sufficient support from TSRF: Several respondents observed, demand for TSRF support has clearly outstripped the amounts actually paid out in grants and loans.
Changes in level of demand for services: Almost all TSIs reported significant increases in demand for the services of some third sector organisations.
