Fairer Funding Pilot feedback survey: research findings

Methodology

Third sector organisations participating in the Fairer Funding Pilot were invited to take part in a short online survey. Alongside questions to understand the profile of those responding to the survey, it consisted of 5 closed questions and 1 open-ended question. The survey asked about changes to staffing, their organisations’ stability, planning and ability to attract other sources of funding.

The survey was hosted on Microsoft Forms and the link was sent by email on 29^th September 2025. It closed on the 13^th October 2025. Participation in the survey was voluntary. A total of 64 responses were received, representing a response rate of 54%. Table 1 provides an overview of organisations that responded to the survey.

(Table 1) Overview of respondents to the Fairer Funding Pilot Feedback Survey

Type of organisation

Provides services directly to individuals/groups: 47

Administers grant funding to other organisations: 14

Both: 3

Total funding received through the Pilot

Less than £149,000: 14

Between £150,000 and £499,999: 28

Between £500,000 and £999,999: 10

Between £1,000,000 and £9,999,999: 8

More than £10,000,000: 1

Unknown: 3

Whilst the survey was anonymous, a privacy notice was provided on the basis that personal or identifiable data may be disclosed. Individual-level data has been restricted to Scottish Government analysts working on this report. Quotes used in this report have been anonymised, with any potentially identifiable information removed.

The information provided in this report is based on respondents’ self-reported views about the difference that participating the pilot has made to either their organisation or the organisations they administer funding to. Responses have not been validated with other information (e.g. staffing or funding data). In addition, as noted below when discussing responses, some recipients reported that it was too early in the Pilot to understand the difference it had made. The timing of the fieldwork should therefore be taken into consideration when reviewing the results. Finally, the survey was voluntary and not all organisations invited chose to take part therefore the findings reported here reflect the views and experiences of those who chose to respond.

Base sizes reported in tables and graphs refer to the number of respondents to a specific question. Percentages reported have been rounded to the nearest whole number.