Details

The fund supports small to medium-sized third sector organisations across Scotland to recruit additional volunteers for the delivery of a new, or the expansion of an existing, volunteering project. The aim is to improve how volunteers are supported in their roles. Organisations are encouraged to demonstrate how their project contributes to the Scottish Government’s priority of ending Child Poverty.

The outcomes of the fund are to:

1. Increase the diversity of the third sector’s volunteer pool, especially supporting more volunteers who are from a black and ethnic minority background, disabled or with a long term health condition, or those who would traditionally experience disadvantage or barriers to volunteering;
2. Improve opportunities for skills and personal development through volunteering;
3. Improve the third sector’s capacity to support, train and deploy volunteers;
4. Enhance the services organisations deliver to better meet the needs of the communities they serve;
5. Recruit volunteers with relevant skills to help strengthen the governance (e.g. improving leadership, increasing the number of young people sitting on boards) and financial knowledge of organisations; and
6. Make a positive impact towards ending child poverty.

The Targeted Volunteering Priority Groups are, in no particular order:

• People on low incomes
• People with mental health conditions
• People who are physically disabled
• People with additional support needs
• People with long-term medical conditions
• LGBTQIA+ people
• People minoritised by race
• People from other groups experiencing disadvantage or barriers to volunteering

You will be expected to recruit:

• Year One: 6 volunteers, 3 of whom experience disadvantage or would traditionally experience barriers to volunteering
• Year Two: 15 volunteers, 10 of whom experience disadvantage or would traditionally experience barriers to volunteering

Projects must take place from 1st November 2025 to 31st March 2027.

Premium information is available exclusively to SCVO members and supporters

Geographical areas funded: Scotland

Fund type

Type of funding:

Grant

Type of cost:

Revenue

Fund award sizes

Maximum:

Premium information

Notes on award amounts:

Premium information

Who can apply

Third sector organisations, grassroots or community groups including unincorporated voluntary organisations, clubs and SCIOs (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisations). CICs (Community Interest Companies) are eligible to apply, provided they are constituted in a way that prevents profit distribution to shareholders.

Maximum annual income:

£250,000

When to apply

Now open. Closes at 5pm on 25 August 2025 (decisions from 31 October).

Next deadline: 25 Aug 2025

How to apply

Application forms and guidance available on the funder website.

Contact information

Exclusions

Premium information

Activites funded: Citizenship and community involvement Education and training General charitable activities Organisational development and capacity building

Beneficiaries funded: General public Voluntary sector organisations Volunteers

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Last reviewed 14 days ago