# Scottish charities increased income by £300 million in 2013

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/02/19/scottish-charities-increased-income-300m-2013/
- Published: 2014-02-19T06:30:20+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Scottish charities have increased their turnover by £300 million in the past year
to **£4.9 billion**, according to research by the Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations (SCVO). This is **double the amount** that it was generating 10 years
ago.

During the same decade, charities have also nearly doubled the amount they spend,
up to **£4.7 billion**. Part of this increase is undoubtedly due to the increase
in demand for services that many charities have reported over the past six years
of financial crisis. Indeed, SCVO reports that 42% of charities last year spent 
more than they earned.

The turnover figures is based on SCVO classifications and a sub-set of 2012/2013
charity income data from OSCR.

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According to [SCVO](http://www.scvo.org.uk) there are **over 45,000 organisations**
in the sector [employing a total of 138,000 people](http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Business/SABS/Sectors/GrowthSectors).

[⌊Economic contribution of Scotland's Third Sector - source: SCVO, February 2014⌉⌊
Economic contribution of Scotland's Third Sector - source: SCVO, February 2014⌉[

Economic contribution of Scotland’s Third Sector – source: SCVO, February 2014

 

John Downie, Director of Public Affairs, SCVO commented on the findings, saying:

“The third sector is growing and spending more than ever to help people bearing 
the brunt of a bleak economy, public funding cuts and growing poverty and inequality.

“We clearly have a strong third sector in Scotland, which is taking on an even more
vital role in society and has the confidence to invest in innovative approaches 
to tackling Scotland’s biggest social challenges.

“Larger charities and foundations are seeing the majority of income growth, while
average growth across the sector stands at **0.8%** despite a tough economic climate.”

SCVO’s 10th annual [Gathering](http://www.gatherscotland.org.uk/events/) gets underway
today.

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