Evidence library

This report brings together findings from a survey of the ALLIANCE’s organisational membership in the spring, a detailed case study, and a workshop at the ALLIANCE's annual conference. Taken together, these paint a picture of a sector which is under intense stress.

Findings include:

• 84% of member organisations responding had experienced increased demand for services, yet 61% reported reduction in funding via grants

• 76% were facing higher bills, and 48% were unable to give their employees pay uplifts.
• 88% of organisations saying that they would benefit from longer-term funding arrangements.

Recommendations include:

• Progressing commitments to fair funding for the third sector, in line with the SCVO definition this link will take you away from The Alliance website
• Ensuring the Fair Work agenda goes beyond funding the Real Living Wage, and instead to pay that is comparable to equivalent statutory sector roles
• Tailored support for organisations operating in rural Scotland
• Targeted support for energy bills, and in the longer term lower energy tariff arrangements for the third sector
• Adopting a human rights based approach to procurement and grant funding
• Investing in services that reduce demand for acute interventions from the public and third sectors