More than 100 grassroots organisations across Scotland will share £2.2 million through the Volunteering Support Fund 2025-27 to recruit and support volunteers in their communities. Over the next two years, small and medium-sized third sector organisations from the Highlands to the Borders will receive grants of up to £20,000 for projects that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
Funded projects include the Inverness Tool Library, which allows people to borrow equipment they might not otherwise afford, and Toryglen Community Youth Project, a volunteer-run charity supporting children and families in deprived areas. These initiatives demonstrate how targeted support can empower local communities and expand volunteering opportunities.
Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart highlighted the vital role of volunteers, praising their contribution to tackling issues from supporting refugees to addressing loneliness and protecting the environment. She encouraged more people to get involved in volunteering, noting its benefits in skill-building, social connections, and personal fulfilment.
Toryglen Community Youth Project trustee Kay Wright noted that the funding helps remove barriers and create personalised pathways for volunteering, enabling the organisation to reach people who previously lacked opportunities. Diane Wilson, Head of Operations and Development at Impact Funding Partners, emphasized that the fund allows organisations to strengthen policies, employ coordinators, and provide bespoke support, ultimately building stronger, more connected communities.
Managed by Impact Funding Partners on behalf of the Scottish Government, the fund selected 116 organisations from 252 applications through a competitive process. The 2025-27 fund also focuses on increasing diversity in volunteering by supporting the recruitment of volunteers from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds and disabled people, helping ensure inclusivity across Scotland’s volunteer sector.
