THE voice of Scotland’s voluntary sector has called for “fair funding” today after a survey reveals organisations forced to postpone or cancel services amid funding delays and dwindling reserves. 

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) latest tracker shows 28 per cent see funding delays and cuts as their top challenge, with 35 to 40 per cent of saying it led to services being postponed or even cancelled.

That challenge has driven a growth in the number of bodies holding less than six months reserves growing to 58 per cent, while 57 per cent admit their use of reserves is unsustainable.

Ahead of its hustings next week, SCVO chief executive Anna Fowlie called for the next Scottish government to adopt the multi-year inflation-linked Fair Funding model “as a matter of urgency.”

She said: “Scotland’s charities, community organisations and social enterprises are a fundamental cornerstone of our society and economy. 

“This research shows a growing fragility which is detrimental to us all. “It’s time to give these organisations, and the people they serve, the respect and stability that they need.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The third sector has a vital role in delivering services and support for communities, working alongside government to ensure that when someone needs help, they get it.

“That’s why the draft Scottish Budget 2026-2027 sets out an additional £20 million for the third sector to help organisations to deliver those services. This is in addition to delivering a Fairer Funding pilot that provides multi-year funding worth more than £130 million over 2025-2027, prioritising organisations that deliver frontline services and tackle child poverty.”