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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

Poll: should more charities merge?

This poll is over 6 years old
 

Is bigger always better – or should charities be small and nimble?

There’s a debate going on in the third sector: to merge or not. Recently a leading think tank suggested more should merge in order to achieve their charitable purposes.

Merging would serve a range of functions – in fundraising terms it could clear the field where you have a myriad of charities campaigning on the same cause.

Perhaps more significantly, merging – in whole or in part – could bring significant savings as charities operate in increasingly fraught financial terrain.

It has also been argued that this could help to protect vital frontline staff and services.

However, it has also been claimed that retaining a separate identity maintains diversity in the third sector eco-system, and make charities better at meeting specialised need.

That’s why we’re asking: what do you think? Should more charities merge?

Vote now and join in the debate by leaving a comment below.

Should more charities merge?

Yes
88
No
35
Options
Voting in this poll has now closed
 

Comments

0 0
John
over 6 years ago
I voted yes as I think it can make sense in todays financial climate but shouldn't be at the detriment of those the charities serve.
0 0
Isobel Hunter
over 6 years ago
Question is too simplistic. Generally, in practice, merger means that the smaller simply disappears. The larger the organisation the less individual the service which is a factor in many of the problems with vulnerable people being reduced to a number / case/ time allocated
0 0
Ewen Rennie
over 6 years ago
Many little charities were found in memory of a single person - while they may do well initially a merger after a period of time would be beneficial
Commenting is now closed on this post