# Two thirds of Scottish charities run by volunteers - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2021/10/29/two-thirds-of-scottish-charities-run-by-volunteers/ - Published: 2021-10-29T09:30:26+01:00 - Author: Melanie May **New research published by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and setting out the current state of the country’s charity sector reveals that Scottish charities have a combined annual income of over £13 billion while two thirds are volunteer- run.** [OSCR](https://www.oscr.org.uk/)’s research, [Scottish Charities 2021](https://www.oscr.org.uk/media/4280/599187_sct0421394204-001_oscr_sector-overview-report_final.pdf), reveals that the 25,000 registered charities in Scotland also employ over two hundred thousand staff. The majority have an income of less than £25,000 per year, with over a third reporting an income of less than £10,000 over the same period. ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) The key findings of the new research, which are based on a snapshot of Scotland’s official charity register taken in February 2021, also show that that the key aims of Scottish charities are to advance education (51%) promote community development( 36%) and give relief to those in need (25%). The most popular beneficiaries of the work of Scottish charities are children or young people (47%), people with disabilities (23%) and older people (22%). Commenting, OSCR’s Chief Executive, Maureen Mallon said: > “Charities are the cornerstone of a strong society and a flourishing economy. > That’s why we’ve published ‘Scottish Charities 2021’ so that we can ensure that > everyone in Scotland is aware of the scale, scope and contribution that charities > make to our national fabric. >   > “We already know that public trust in Scottish charities is at the highest level > since OSCR began to measure this in 2009. We hope by publishing a range of data > and insights into the sector we can continue to build public confidence and ensure > that policy makers and planners can make informed decisions in future. >   > “With our work at the Scottish Charity Regulator, people across Scotland can have > faith that our twenty-five thousand charities are properly regulated and well- > run. We want to continue to build public confidence in charities and allow these > vital organisations to thrive and cement their place at the heart of our day to > day life.” * **[Views sought on proposed changes to Scottish charities bill](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/12/12/views-sought-on-proposed-changes-to-scottish-charities-bill/)**( 12 December 2022) * **[OSCR names top 300 Scottish charities by income](https://fundraising.co.uk/2008/02/28/oscr-names-top-300-scottish-charities-income/)**( 28 February 2008) * **[2009 Charity Conference in Edinburgh & the OSCR website](https://fundraising.co.uk/2009/02/24/2009-charity-conference-edinburgh-amp-oscr-website/)**( 24 February 2009)