Families
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the national body representing the voluntary sector. SCVO seeks to advance the values and shared interests of the voluntary sector. There are 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland involving up to 130,000 paid staff and over 1.2 million volunteers. The sector manages an income of £3.2billion.
YOU ARE IN: Home > Information > About the Sector
About the Sector
Map of ScotlandThis section of the site holds research about the Scottish voluntary sector. It has evolved from what was formerly known as the 'Scottish Voluntary Sector Almanac'. Here we provide a single reference point to the general trends within the Scottish voluntary sector, and a commentary on some of its underlying drivers of change.  This is also your first point of access to statistical and qualitative data on the sector and associated analysis. SCVO is committed, as far as it is able within resource constraints, to keep the information on these pages up to date, relevant and accessible and much work has already been done. Herein then lies a treasure trove of information. Curious? Then step inside and meet the Scottish voluntary sector!


Statistics
This section is your statistical resource on the Scottish voluntary sector. You will find the latest facts and figures to describe the size, shape, funding and workforce. There is a section on the methodology used to calculate the facts and figures, with a briefing on the definition of voluntary organisations and a glossary of key terms used in the sector. And finally a bibliography section for further sources of research information.
Analysis
This section provides commentary on and interpretation of the data gathered about the sector and draws conclusions from it: what does it all mean for the sector, now and in the future? We present this in the form of a series of briefing broadly within the following categories; Impact of the sector, Areas of Growth, Economic Sustainability, Equality & Diversity and the Sector's Rural Dimension.
Reference
Reference material About the Sector which includes a bibliography, methodology guidance and case studies
space