The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Useful contacts
The vibrant voluntary sector is a wealth of help and guidance. If you've got questions or need more support, we're sure someone in this list can give you answer or a helping hand.
SCVO
We are a member organisation providing a range of support.
Our Information Service can help if you have questions about running an organisation, setting up a charity, governance or funding.
Community Ownership Support Service (COSS)
COSS provides support to community-based groups in Scotland, to take a stake in, or ownership of and the running of previously publicly owned land or buildings.
Scottish Rural Network
SRN encourages rural development by sharing information, ideas and good practice. We work with, and for, anyone who lives, works or has an interest in rural Scotland.
TSI Scotland Network
The TSI Scotland Network is a body of charities that support the third sector across Scotland. There are 32 Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) in Scotland, one for each local authority area.
The TSI Scotland Network is supported to carry out its main functions by the Third Sector Unit of Scottish Government.
Scotland-wide
Accelerate
Accelerate is a support programme for the Third Sector and community organisations in Scotland, delivered by Community Enterprise. Support is free and aims to help groups and organisations become more sustainable and enterprising.
Circular Communities Scotland
At Circular Communities Scotland, we empower Scottish Communities to deliver a circular economy via our national network of reuse, repair and recycling charities.
Community Land Scotland
Community Land Scotland is a member-based organisation providing a collective voice for community landowners in Scotland, ranging from major crofting estates in the Western Isles to inner city community hubs in diverse communities.
Creative lives
Encouraging people to include creativity in their every day lives, including advice and information on putting on events and a directory of local groups and events.
Crisis Recovery
Emergency support for the third sector in Scotland. Are you a community group, social enterprise or
third sector organisation really worried about your future sustainability or facing very severe challenges and not sure where to turn? Fill in some simple details and someone will be in touch quickly.
Development Trusts Association Scotland (DTAS)
DTAS is the national body for development trusts in Scotland, supporting you to unlock the potential within your community.
Funding Scotland
SCVO's funding database which you can use to search for potential funding opportunities for your hall. It's free to use, and has lots of different kinds of funding.
Growing Climate Confidence
Resources for the voluntary sector in Scotland to help you on your path to Net Zero, including a scorecard to give you a picture of where you’re at and tips on getting climate on your organisation’s agenda.
Just Enterprise
Just Enterprise is a Scottish Government-funded programme for the Third Sector. Our expert network of advisers can provide the support, training and information you need to start, develop, grow and lead your social enterprise. What’s more, the majority of our services are entirely free to access.
Local Energy Scotland/CARES
Local Energy Scotland manage CARES - the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme. CARES supports communities across Scotland to engage with, participate in and benefit from the energy transition to net zero emissions.
The Property Standardisation Group (PSG)
PSG has model leases, templates and guidance for Scottish commercial property leasehold transactions.
Scottish Community Alliance
Comprised of Scotland's leading community sector networks, the Scottish Community Alliance campaigns collectively for a stronger and more cohesive community sector in Scotland, promoting the work of local people in their communities and influencing national policy in order to reflect the best interests of the sector.
The Community Learning Exchange, offers small pots of funding to support local community groups connect and share peer learning. The best way to test and develop new ideas is to learn from people who are already on the journey themselves. It's also an opportunity to collaborate with new networks and partnerships. https://scottishcommunityalliance.org.uk/community-learning-exchange/
Social Enterprise Scotland
The representative body for social enterprises in Scotland, we are growing a collaborative movement so that all social enterprises have a stronger collective voice.
Scottish Land Fund
Grant funding and supporting urban and rural communities across Scotland to become more resilient and sustainable through the ownership and management of land, buildings and other assets. The Scottish Land Fund is funded by SG and delivered in partnership between HIE and the National Lottery Community Fund.
Scottish Rural Action (SRA)
SRA supports the rural movement in Scotland, working with our members and partners at national, regional and community levels, including delivering the biennial Scottish Rural Parliament and a Rural and Island Manifesto for Scotland.
Volunteer Scotland
The national volunteering centre for Scotland. They provide a database of volunteering opportunities, and lots of advice and guidance for working with volunteers.
UK support
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)
ACRE is national charity speaking up for and supporting rural communities in England, including Village Halls Week, a national campaign shining a spotlight on the contribution England’s 10,000+ village halls make to rural communities.
British Safety Council
A not-for-profit membership organisation, dedicated to making sure no-one is injured or made ill through their work via providing education and practical guidance on workplace health, safety and environmental management.
Safety Training & Certification | British Safety Council (britsafe.org)
The Ethical Property Foundation
The only dedicated property advice charity in the UK serving the voluntary sector, we offer free impartial guidance and online support, plus webinars and affordable tailored consultancy. We can help you manage your property sustainably and save money.
Heritage Fund
the largest funder of UK heritage. Distribute funding and offer information and news.
Heritage Trust Organisation
A membership organisation full of people who have delivered amazing heritage projects against all the odds. Their mission is to help others do the same.
Utility Aid
The UK’s largest energy broker focussing on not-for-profits. Provide advice, deals and audits.
Government & Public Bodies
Community Land Team
The Community Land Team are responsible for the Community Right to Buy process and can be contacted by emailing the crtb@gov.scot mailbox.
The team offers direct assistance to community groups wishing to acquire land, as well as support to community bodies, landowners and other interested parties going through the Right to Buy process.
Companies House
Register of companies where you can find information, upload documents and register.
Disclosure Scotland
Disclosure Scotland and the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme helps employers make safer decisions when they're recruiting people. It also makes sure unsuitable people do not work with vulnerable groups, including children.
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Britain’s independent equality and human rights regulator. They provide guidance, support and codes of conduct, and do some specific work in Scotland.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
HSE is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety, dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. Our role goes beyond worker protection to include public assurance. We work to ensure people feel safe where they live, where they work and, in their environment.
Office of Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR)
The Scottish Charity Regulator and registrar for over 25,000 Scottish charities, including community groups, religious charities, schools, universities, grant-giving charities and major care providers.
Registers of Scotland
responsible for keeping public registers of land, property, and other legal documents in Scotland.
Registers of Scotland - Scotland's land and property registers
Scottish Government Asset Transfer documents
Provides templates and example documents pertaining to asset transfer, including request, acknowledgement, approval and refusal letters plus model constitutions and model articles of association.
Scottish Land Commission
The Scottish Land Commission is driving a programme of land reform spanning both urban and rural land, to create a Scotland where land is owned and used in ways that are fair, responsible and productive.
Think your organisation should be in this list? Email and tell us what you do: enquiries@scvo.scot