OSCR: External Stakeholder Research 2011

The report found high levels of interest in the work of charities in Scotland among the public, with only 22% expressing little or no interest. Chief concerns about charities were financial, with calls for greater transparency as to how money was spent. Some 80% agreed with the statement: ‘it’s good to know that OSCR is there looking after the charity sector’.

Among charities, well over half (60%) said that they would welcome the opportunity to file their accounts and returns to OSCR online when the service becomes available in the Autumn, with two thirds (66%) agreeing that OSCR should highlight late submissions on the Scottish Charity Register. Some 89% agree that completing OSCR’s documentation is ‘now part and parcel of what they do’.

Key findings from the public were as follows:

• The public has a high degree of interest in charities and their work, with only 22% indicating a lack of interest and 89% saying they had donated to a charity in the last year
• Two thirds of the public say that the current economic climate has made ‘no difference’ to the amount of money they have donated, while 25% say they have donated less
• 95% of the public believe that OSCR’s role is essential, very important, or fairly important, with 71% agreeing that knowing about OSCR and its role gives them more trust in charities
• The chief concerns expressed about charities were financial, with 38% stating ‘I don’t know how they spend their money’.

Among charities, key findings were as follows:

• As in earlier years, financial issues were of chief concern for charities, including running costs, funding cuts or reduced donations
• Charities themselves are actively addressing such issues, with 57% consulting Third Sector support organisations and 22% parent or umbrella bodies: 80% were satisfied with the help they received
• Opinions of OSCR were very positive, with 88% trusting OSCR to treat charities fairly and 83% agreeing that OSCR’s communication with them was excellent, very good or good
• 60% said that they intend to submit their returns online, with 18% saying they would not.

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