This briefing shares the experiences of the first 23 leaders participating in IVAR's support sessions for leaders of voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. The briefing covers reflections on the questions and opportunities for funders that they raise. Further briefings will follow as new groups meet. Key leadership issues * manic initial phase of adjustment * sense of personal responsibility * moral and practical dilemmas, eg around closing services or staffing * new team management challenges Opportunities and risks * radical shift in use of technology * risk of inequalities being exacerbated * shared leadership and more self-led decision making Funding and Fundraising * most funders are showing flexibility, eg project funding allowed to be used for core * many are extending grants / grant periods * but new grant allocations have stalled, with some funders have delayed annual decisions re funds and deadlines are being missed/ postponed. * organisations are needing to make decisions about drawing down new money or holding back funds for longer-term solutions and sustainability. * emergency funds are flowing now, but what will picture look like when state steps back? Can funders start thinking around this? What next for funders? Need to build collective intelligence about the pattern of need and funding - this will help plan strategies and set priorities for future, maintaining current collaborative approach. --- ## About SCVO SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector. Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact. SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector. Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners. Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored, learning opportunities. SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience. Discounts and savings savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org). For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)