charity donations – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

SCVO: Value of charity donations down by 30% in five years

SCVO analysis shows individual giving fell in real-terms by more than £240 million in 2023

The value of charity donations is down by almost a third in the past five years, new research from SCVO finds.

The voluntary sector body’s new report, Individual Giving in Scotland: donations, legacies and fundraising, shows income from individual giving made up 15% of the Scottish charity sector’s income in 2023, down from around 20% in 2018 and previous years.

Individual giving from the general public was worth an estimated £1.2bn to Scottish charities in 2023.

But the value of donations has fallen by 30% in real terms since 2018, while fewer individuals are donating to charity – although many who do donate are giving larger amounts.

Most income streams from the general public were hit hard by Covid, and while many of these income streams have now bounced back, they have generally not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Data from the Spring 2025 Scottish Third Sector Tracker suggests that a rising number of voluntary organisations saw positive growth in both donations and fundraising income, suggesting some reasons for cautious optimism despite the challenging financial environment.

The voluntary sector body said the falling value of donations underlines the importance of the Scottish Government’s move towards Fair Funding.

SCVO head of policy, Kirsten Hogg, said: “Individual giving is an important part of the complex patchwork of funding sources that Scotland’s voluntary organisations rely on, and these findings are really concerning – especially when combined with what we know about cuts in public sector funding and the increasing costs and demands that voluntary organisations are facing.

“The cost of living crisis has hit individual giving hard, impacting on people’s ability to put their hands in their pockets – including for legacies, donations, fundraising and trading. Over the same period, we saw a reduction in the number of people volunteering their time, and together these paint a worrying picture about the extent to which people are able to support charities and community groups.

“While we remain hopeful that we may see a slight upturn in both donations and volunteering numbers, the resource difficulties that voluntary organisations are facing mean that many will continue to encounter challenges on a scale we’ve not seen before.

“Scotland’s voluntary sector is a fundamental part of Scottish society, and demand for support is rising. Vital support continues to be delivered to every community in Scotland, and we must do everything we can to protect organisations from the pressures they are facing.”

Claire Stanley, director of policy and communications at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said: “Charities across Scotland are working harder than ever to support the communities and individuals who need them.

“SCVO’s research highlights the difficult reality facing the sector right now, and we are hearing from our members that demand for services is increasing yearly – yet they are working with fewer resources while trying to deliver more.

“And while it is encouraging to see many supporters giving generously, we know the cost-of-living crisis has hit people hard in recent years, and the overall drop in donations presents a significant challenge. That is why fair and reliable funding for charities is so important, to ensure that communities across Scotland can continue to count on the support they need, now and in the future.”

Jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks celebrates companywide milestone of £25million raised for charities

A Fort Kinnaird jewellery retailer celebrated International Charity Day with a landmark achievement for charitable giving, after donating £25 million from company profits to charities and communities since 2000.

Beaverbrooks Fort Kinnaird located in Fort Kinnaird Shopping Park has contributed to the total by supporting a variety of fundraising activities – including Payroll Giving, with every donation matched by the business to amplify the impact.

The store team has also taken part in volunteering for local charity, Edinburgh Cat & Dog Home. Alongside this, each colleague receives £100 each year to donate to a cause close to their heart.

As part of Beaverbrooks’ core purpose of enriching lives and making a difference, the business donates 20% of its retained profits each year and has supported more than 500 charities over the past 25 years.

It also leads the way in Payroll Giving, with 45% of colleagues regularly donating through their pay – far above the national average of 6% – which has earned Beaverbrooks a Diamond Quality Award for the past seven years.

Fiona House, Store Manager at Beaverbrooks Fort Kinnaird, said: “We’re so proud to be part of this £25 million milestone. Giving back is what Beaverbrooks is all about – and our Fort Kinnaird team love supporting causes that really matter in our community.

“Whether it’s fundraising, volunteering, or simply lending a hand, it’s amazing to see the difference we can make together.”

To mark the occasion, Beaverbrooks stores will be offering fizz and sweet treats from Friday to Monday, with a special thank you for customers who join the Beaverbrooks Club – including £25 off when spending £100 or more.

To find out more about Beaverbrooks’ charity and community work, visit:

https://www.beaverbrooks.co.uk/100/enriching-lives

More than one in four Edinburgh residents rely on charities for essential support

Edinburgh residents accessing charity services averaged 27% in 2024, new data analysis reveals

An average of 27% of Edinburgh residents relied on a charity for essential support in 2024, from mental health care and debt advice to medical support, according to new data analysis by Ansvar Insurance. The figure was higher in some areas – up to 30%.

The analysis, based on the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) Local Giving Report 2025 and interactive data map, emphasises the reliance on charities for essential needs-based services].

But despite the demand, fewer people are giving. CAF’s National Giving Report 2025 reveals the proportion of people donating has fallen to only 50%, a historic low since data collection began in 2016. Of those who gave, the majority supported national rather than local causes.

Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, an expert insurer for the charity and not-for-profit sectors, commented: “The data illustrates how vital charity organisations are in Edinburgh communities, often addressing gaps left by statutory services, and doing so under financial and operational pressure.”

Additionally, there is a mismatch between where support is needed and where money goes, with some Edinburgh areas seeing 23% of residents relying on charity services and others as high as 30%.

Adam Tier added: “Our experience of working closely with charities has shown just how essential their services are for many individuals and families.

The challenge, and opportunity, for donors and policymakers is to help balance the disparity by directing more resources from affluent communities to those facing the highest levels of need.”

He concluded: “Policymakers should be urged to ease the flow of funding from wealthier areas to those with greater needs.

“Charities must also be supported to build more sustainable and risk-resilient models that can withstand rising demand and operational challenges.

“And for donors, particularly those in wealthier regions, consider a shift in giving towards local and community charities in under-resourced areas, where support can make a big difference.”

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Edinburgh charity thank public for playing crucial role in stopping needless animal cruelty

Scottish public play crucial role in stopping needless animal cruelty
OneKind campaign generated support of thousands of Scots to end the use of snares

A leading Scottish animal charity, OneKind, is celebrating the thousands of volunteers and members of the public who helped to locate and report cruel snares ahead of a historic ban to end the capture device comes into force.

This significant milestone means that wild, farmed, and companion animals across the country will no longer endure the inhumane mental and physical agony inflicted by snare traps.

The Scottish Government’s historic decision to ban snares, passed through the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act, marks a monumental step forward in ending animal cruelty. OneKind had been working on getting snares banned for many years and thanks to public interest and support finally got the ban confirmed in November 2024.

Snares, which have long been used by gamekeepers to trap wild animals like foxes in the name of protecting game birds for shooting, are indiscriminate and often cause immense suffering to a wide range of non-targeted species, from deer and badgers to cats and dogs. The new law, which came into effect in November 2024, makes it an offence to use snares or cause harm to wild animals through snaring.

This win was made possible thanks to various funding streams for the charity including that of Bighearted Scotland which helps fund essential campaigns through Payroll Giving.

Bob Elliot, Director of OneKind said: “The ban on snares is a victory that will end the suffering of countless animals across Scotland. For years, we have seen the devastating impact of snares on both target and non-target species alike.

“The distress caused to pets, wildlife, and even livestock has been heartbreaking. The Scottish Government has underlined its commitment to bettering animal welfare across the country with this landmark decision, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of the general public who helped us locate many snares in the Scottish countryside, our dedicated donors – including Bighearted Scotland – and supporters.”

OneKind has been at the forefront of this battle, campaigning for many years to eliminate the use of snares in Scotland. The charity’s efforts included public marches, rallies outside the Scottish Parliament, petitions, and extensive outreach to raise awareness of the cruelty caused by these devices.

The snare ban is the culmination of years of hard work by OneKind, but it also signals a shift in how we view wild animals. By protecting them from these inhumane traps, Scotland is taking a strong stance on the ethical treatment of wildlife.

Bighearted Scotland’s ongoing support of OneKind’s campaigns, particularly through payroll giving, has been crucial in securing this win. Payroll giving allows employees to donate a portion of their salary directly to causes like OneKind, ensuring a consistent and reliable funding stream that powers crucial campaigns.

Deborah Roe, Chair of Bighearted Scotland said: “We are proud to be part of a landmark moment for Scotland, our wildlife and our beautiful countryside through our ongoing support of OneKind.

“We want to make donating and giving back as easy as possible which is why, this Payroll Giving Month, we are encouraging people to opt in to payroll giving to benefit four Scottish Charities including Erskine, OneKind, Epilepsy Scotland and Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland.

“By donating via payroll giving you can be guaranteed you are supporting a range of charities spanning various causes and making a real impact, to real people.”

Bighearted Scotland is a consortium that has been supporting Scottish charities for over 30 years. Bighearted Scotland is dedicated to enhancing fundraising efforts through payroll giving, or Give as You Earn, which allows employees to make regular, tax-efficient donations straight from their gross pay.

In February, Payroll Giving Month, Bighearted Scotland and its member charities raise awareness about the power of payroll donations, which are often a consistent and reliable source of funding. However, despite the program’s impact, the amount donated through payroll giving has decreased by 15% over the last decade, with the number of donors also declining by 13%.

For those interested in supporting OneKind and other member charities of Bighearted Scotland, visit www.bigheartedscotland.co.uk to learn more about how to set up payroll giving in your workplace.

Barratt Developments donations support local communities

Three vital causes supporting families and individuals in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been named the first recipients of this year’s Barratt Developments Community Fund.

Barratt Developments, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, currently donates £1,500 per month to local charities in its divisions as part of the homebuilder’s pledge to improve the quality of life of those living in the areas in which it operates.

The homebuilder kicked off 2024 by donating £3,000 to its new East of Scotland main charity partner, Cash for Kids.

The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people living locally who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. The cause also works with grassroots organisations that aim to make a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go.

Cash for Kids replaces St Columba’s Hospice Care as the East Scotland division’s main charity partner, having raised a whopping £247,909 in the last two years through fundraising, including a Pentland Hills walk, charity dinners and office events.

Victoria Hendry, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to receive the Barratt Community Fund for this first quarter of the year. This £3,000 will make such a difference in our local community, specifically to families really struggling with the cost of living.

“We are receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of requests for support with real basics such as food, toiletries and nappies, so these funds will go a long way in supporting us with helping these families who are living on our doorstep.

“To also be chosen as Barratt East Scotland’s new main charity partner was really just the cherry on top. I was delighted to get the phone call and we are excited to build some brilliant fundraising plans across the next two years and help even more local children.”

In February, a further £1,500 was given to Capital Carers, which supports carers in the North West of Edinburgh.

The organisation’s highly trained staff provide one-to-one support as well as a range of services which enable individuals to support the person they care for and assist them in carrying out their caring responsibilities, while ensuring that they also look after themselves.

Lauren Alexander, Young Carers Support Worker at Capital Carers, said: “A huge thanks to Barratt for this generous donation, it will enable us to provide respite trips for young carers and young adult carers which we would otherwise not have been able to do.

“All of our carers love interaction with animals, and this therapeutic approach can really benefit those with challenging situations. Horses are a big favourite, but it is an expensive activity. The money will allow us to take several groups horse riding, alpaca trekking, a trip to the zoo and going out to eat.

“The funding has already allowed us to take young carers on active respite trips, to Laser Tag, swimming and escape rooms, and meals out where all carers can relax together, make new friends, reconnect with old ones and have that important peer support.”

Finally, in March, Barratt Developments donated £1,500 to Midlothian Foodbank.

The charity, which is supported by The Trussell Trust, provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in need in the Midlothian area.

Ian Purves, from Midlothian Foodbank, said: “Thank you to Barratt for their generous donation to Midlothian Foodbank.

“The donation will help people in our area struggling with the cost of living and support them with emergency food parcels, food vouchers for families in school holidays, or a hot meal at one of our two weekly lunches.

“They also have access to an advisor from Citizens Advice who is present during one of our lunches. All this helps to reach our aim of ensuring that no one in Midlothian goes to bed hungry.”

Alison Condie, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be supporting causes which are carrying out such essential work in communities throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“From foodbanks through to care, cost of living has placed a significant strain on the services that charities can provide. We hope that our donations can help to alleviate some of this pressure and allow causes to continue supporting families and individuals in the communities in which we build.”

For more information on Barratt Developments in the East of Scotland, visit:

https://bar.homes/east-scotland

Scottish Charities receive donations from INEOS as part of International Cycling Challenge

Local Scottish charities have received £13,000 from INEOS, the global chemicals and manufacturing company, to help fund causes close to the hearts of the teams at INEOS FPS, O&P UK and Petroineos.

The donation comes from the INEOS Tour de France challenge where 122 teams of employees from across INEOS took part in an ambitious cycling challenge. Riding in teams from across its sites to complete the distance of every stage of the world-famous Tour de France cycle race. This year, 2800 employees took part – and have together cycled over 1.3 million kms.

The 122 teams who have completed all 21 stages have won the right to donate the equivalent to a chosen local charity. The teams participating on behalf of INEOS FPS, O&P UK and Petroineos in Grangemouth, Scotland have chosen 13 charities to receive this donation.

Funds raised will support charities close to the team member’s hearts such as Strathcarron Hospice and Dowards House, which provides specialist hospice care and expert end of life care for the elderly.

Kiran’s Trust is another charity supported by the INEOS teams which aims to support young people, typically 7 to 17 years old, development through education and sport as well as Jamie’s Sanctuary which supports young people in the area who are struggling with mental health issues and addiction.

Other charities that have been donated to include Forth Valley First Responders, Woodland View School in Kirkintilloch, British Heart Foundation, Marion’s Still Smiling, Scottish Association for Mental Health, FDAMH, Cycling Without Age Scotland, and VIE Velo (Visually Impaired Edinburgh).

“The INEOS Tour de France Challenge is another brilliant initiative set up by INEOS to support local communities all over the world.”

This year, the Tour de France challenge saw 2,800 members of the INEOS team from 33 countries around the world cycle a total of 1.3 million km the equivalent 3 and a half trips to the moon.

The aim of the challenge was for each of the teams to complete the equivalent distance of each stage of the iconic Tour de France, each day, many of them squeezing in cycling sessions before, during and after work.

Graham on ‘emotional’ Hawick Ambulance Station visit as Scottish Building Society make donation

Edinburgh Rugby and Scotland star Darcy Graham presented Hawick Ambulance Station with a donation of £500 and a signed match jersey to thank the hero Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) staff who saved his brother’s life after a horror crash.

Aged 17 at the time, Clark Graham was involved in an accident near the village of Ashkirk in the Borders, north of Hawick, which left him in a coma for three-and-a-half weeks.

Graham, who is now preparing for the Rugby World Cup in France, previously donated £500 to the Hawick station – donated on behalf of the club’s sponsors Scottish Building Society – after winning the team’s Player of The Month last September.

He was once again chosen as Edinburgh’s April’s Player of the Month this year and chose the ambulance service as the beneficiary.

Graham visited Hawick Ambulance Station on Thursday (May 18) to thank Gary Brown, Hawick-based Paramedic, and Jenny Braithwaite, Paramedic who is based in Melrose, who was working at Hawick at the time.

After the call was taken by Iona Walker, Gary and Jenny (pictured with Darcy) were the first crew on scene and rushed Clark to Borders General Hospital, fearing the worst.

Graham said: “It means so much to me and my family. Without the Scottish Ambulance Service and what they did that night at Clark’s accident, he wouldn’t be here, so it’s an easy one for us to give back to them to just kind of say thank you. The quick decisions they made that night thankfully saved Clark’s life.

“It was very emotional meeting the crew. It’s kind of hard to put into words what to say to them. It’s an easy one to for me to pick. It’s not just my family they’ve helped, it’s so many other people’s families and lives they’ve saved from them just doing their job.

“Day to day, it’s what they are here for and we kind of take it for granted almost. Having the ambulance service, having the NHS, everything, we are very lucky to have these services just on a phone call.”

Brown, who has been with the Scottish Ambulance Service for 14 years, said it was “fantastic” of Darcy to donate to SAS, and added: “It was great to meet Darcy and hopefully we can meet Clark soon. The money will be donated to the station, so it will stay in Hawick.”

He said the money will directly benefit the patients the ambulance service attends to.

Speaking of the accident, Brown said: “I remembered it had started snowing that night and there was a light covering over the road. We were the first crew on scene and quite clearly the car Clark had been driving had gone through two fences and into a tree.”

Brown was the first to inspect the vehicle, and after seeing the wreckage of the car – which had suffered “massive damage – feared the worst for who was inside. He added: “Clark was unconscious and obviously very, very ill.”

After assessing the scene, Gary and Jenny realised he needed to be transferred to hospital immediately. Clark was initially taken to Borders General Hospital, before being transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. Gary said after he was handed into the care of hospital clinicians, he didn’t think would make it.

Two additional crews staffed by Susan Angus, Technician, and Lee Myers, Paramedic, both of Melrose Station, and Suzanne Little, Advanced Paramedic at Melrose, and Mark Neil, Practice Placement Educator. Malcolm Landells and Rhona Dunn from SAS’s SORT East team were also sent along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to the scene of the accident. A second passenger, less critical than Clark, also required medical treatment.

Scottish Building Society has donated over £7000 the past two seasons to a range of causes, and Graham said it was great to see first-hand the staff who will benefit and how it will help the community and patient care. The money will used for patient care and is determined by the staff on how it is best spent to help the community.

Paul Denton, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Building Society added: “We’re very proud to donate to Scottish Ambulance Service in Hawick for the second time.

“It’s a charity which we know is very close to Darcy’s heart, and we are very aware of the lifesaving work they do across the Borders. It’s great to have their work highlighted and supported in this way.”

To find out more about donating to the Scottish Ambulance Service visit Make a Donation (scottishambulance.com).

Local charities benefit from share of £189,000 Barratt Developments boost

— The housebuilder donated more than £80,000 in 2022 to good causes in the east of Scotland, from children’s recreation and sports groups to foodbanks and conservation trusts —

Barratt Developments – which includes Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd – is celebrating a year of giving after its charitable efforts topped more than £189,000 in donations across Scotland.

Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including the Barratt Developments Scotland Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.

Over the last 12 months, Barratt Developments has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities in the east of Scotland. Totalling a whopping £80,000, donations came at a vital time for many families, individuals and organisations affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

In light of this, the housebuilder made significant donations to a range of organisations which support families in need. St Columba’s Hospice Care, which provides world-leading hospice care to those based in Edinburgh and the Lothians, was Barratt’s main charity in the east for 2022 – securing a £60,000 donation.

Other Lothian donation included a £10,000 donation to Social Bite, a £1,500 donation to Empty Kitchen, Full Hearts in Edinburgh, which rescues surplus food to make meals for those in need, and Edinburgh Food Project which received a £1,000 funding boost. East Lothian Roots and Fruits, which aims to make fruit and vegetables more affordable and therefore more accessible, also received a donation of £1,500.

Other organisations which received donations in the east of Scotland included Dnipro; which supports orphans in Ukraine, disability-focused Capability Scotland, The Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Sporting Start – a group that encourages young people to get active and enjoy sport.

Alison Condie, Barratt Developments’ Managing Director for East Scotland, said: “At Barratt, we’re committed to using our scale for good whenever and wherever we can. As Scotland’s leading housebuilder, it’s important that we give back to the areas in which we build and lead by example.

“There is so much vital work being undertaken by organisations up and down the country, and we’re extremely proud to have been able to support these activities and help them continue during what has been a very challenging year.

“From foodbanks through to environmental projects, we’ve donated to a variety of causes this year and look to continue supporting such a diverse mix in 2023. We would like to thank everyone who suggested charities and supported our fundraising activity, and wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year.”

The full list of 2022’s beneficiaries includes:

• Highland Homeless, Inverness

• Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen

• Social Bite, Edinburgh

• The Coming Home Centre, Glasgow

• CATH, Perth

• St Columba’s Hospice Care

• Link Living

• Capability Scotland

• Cross Reach

• The Water of Leith Conservation Trust

• Sporting Start

• Edinburgh Food Project

• Four Square

• Dnipro

• Tenovus Scotland

• East Lothian Roots and Fruits

• Empty Kitchen Full Hearts

• Pink Saltire

• Edinburgh Cat & Dog Home

• Cash for Kids

• Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA)

• Perth & Kinross Foodbank

• Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation

• Trees for Life

• Hamish Dear Warm Hugs

• Ellon Castle Gardens – Bill Bruce Memorial Garden Project

• Elgin Sports Community Trust

• Cove Woodland Community Trust

• Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland

• Newburgh & Ythan Community Trust – Seal Beach Project

• Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland

• The Leanne Fund

• Cash for Kids Coat Appeal 2022

• The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow

• The Lily Foundation

• Parklea Branching Out

• St Andrew’s Hospice – Thanksgiving Thistle Appeal

• The Simba Charity

• Trust Jack Foundation

• Kindness Homeless Street Team Glasgow

• Nil by Mouth

• CHAP

• CHAS

• Children 1st – Bairns’ Hoose Project

• The Prince’s Trust

• Glasgow Spirit of Christmas

• Canine Partners

• Selkirk Food Bank

• Stable Life

• Brake Road Safety

• The Wave Project

• Artbeat Scotland

• Earlston Scouts Group

• Rowlands, Selkirk

• The Difference, Special Baby Care Unit

Aldi donates 14,500 meals to charities in Edinburgh and the Lothians on Christmas Eve

Aldi supported local charities, community groups and food banks in Edinburgh and The Lothians on Christmas Eve by donating 14,530 meals to those in need.

Working with Neighbourly, the supermarket paired up its stores with local charity partners in the area to collect unsold fresh and chilled food when stores closed early on 24th December, with stores repeating the initiative on 31st December.

To further support local communities this year, Aldi’s Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund saw the supermarket also commit to donating £250,000 to charitable organisations throughout the winter season.

Both the festive food donations and fund are part of Aldi’s successful partnership with Neighbourly, a community giving platform that links businesses to charitable organisations.

All of Aldi’s 980 UK stores donate surplus food to good causes, all year round, with over 27 million meals donated to good causes since its partnership with Neighbourly began back in 2019.

Liz Fox, Corporate Responsibility Director at Aldi UK, said: “We are incredibly proud to have supported so many amazing charities and community groups in Edinburgh and The Lothians this Christmas, helping them to provide warm and healthy festive meals to those in need.

“We know that the festive period will have been a particularly challenging time for so many this year which is why we also launched our Emergency Foodbank Fund – allowing us to support even more organisations at a time of heightened demand.”

Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “Christmas is always a busy time for charities and food banks, but this year was, without doubt, one of the busiest. The donations from Aldi are vital for so many people and we are really pleased to be working together to help those in need again this year.”

Charities share £189,000 national boost from Barratt Developments