What do Scottish donors and politicians really think about charities? A preview of our Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations findings

If you work in the Scottish charity sector, you will probably recognise the mood. Public goodwill can feel fragile, political attention is stretched and the pace of the news cycle leaves little room for reflection. Against that backdrop, it is worth asking a simple question: what do Scottish donors and politicians actually think about charities right now?

Nfp co-Managing Director, Tim, writes:

Last week, I presented our 2024 report on Funder Plus at an excellent Yorkshire Funders webinar on the same topic. Broadly, we define Funder Plus as support in addition to the grant or grant-making process and can include organisational development, operational advice, networking, and many other types of support.

At nfpResearch, we’ve just completed our summer wave of research in Canada. The picture is mixed: trust in charities remains relatively strong, but participation in giving is flat, and optimism about the future feels fragile. Drawing on our latest data, as well as wider sector insights, here are three recommendations for Canadian charities as we head into 2026.

Broaden the base of givers

The Mercers' Company – the livery company (formerly trade guilds) focusing on being a philanthropic force for good – commissioned nfpResearch to deliver their first grantee and applicant perception survey to understand how Mercer's funding approach is experienced, how they can improve and what the sector needs at a time of extraordinary pressure.