- YMCA Bellshill & Mossend
- Jun 3
Let’s talk about the things people think they know about charities.
You’ve probably heard some of these:
“It’s all volunteers, isn’t it?” “Charities don’t really need money – they’re not-for-profit!” “Bet the CEO’s on a massive salary doing nothing.”
Sound familiar?
We’ve heard it all. And while we’re usually too busy running services to correct every misconception, it’s worth setting the record straight. Because when people misunderstand how charities work, it affects how they support us — and whether they support us at all.
Let’s unpack a few myths.
---
❌ Myth 1: “It’s just a team of volunteers with big hearts.”
Yes, we do have brilliant volunteers. We need them, and we’re grateful for them.
But most charities — including us — rely on paid staff to do the heavy lifting: Safeguarding. Youth work. Admin. Childcare. Fundraising. Finance. Strategic planning.
If volunteers are the soul, paid staff are the engine. You need both.
---
❌ Myth 2: “You don’t need money – you’re not-for-profit!”
Let’s break this one down: “Not-for-profit” just means that any income goes back into the mission, not into someone’s pocket. It does not mean we don’t need money to function.
We’ve still got rent, electricity, insurance, wages, resources, cleaning, repairs — and don’t forget the budget for printer ink and drama workshop props.
Analogy: Expecting a charity to work without money is like expecting your local football team to win the league without boots or a pitch. Passion matters — but so do the basics.
---
❌ Myth 3: “Charities just give stuff away.”
We do give — but what we give is support, not just supplies.
Yes, there are foodbanks and donation drives. But most of us are also running long-term, person-centred services: mentoring, mental health support, childcare, community groups, education programmes, and more.
Example: At YMCA Bellshill, we run a foodbank. But we also run toddler groups, women’s wellbeing sessions, gaming clubs for young people, and mentoring support for young carers.
We're not handing things out. We're helping people move forward.
---
❌ Myth 4: “Charities aren’t regulated.”
Charities in Scotland are held to high standards — by OSCR (Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator), and often by funders, local authorities and partners too.
We submit annual accounts, report on our outcomes, meet safeguarding standards, and track every penny of funding.
Let’s just say the paperwork doesn’t do itself.
---
❌ Myth 5: “Charities aren’t proper organisations.”
We do everything a business does — and sometimes more.
We manage HR, finance, buildings, policies, compliance, staffing, training, recruitment and reporting — all while actually delivering services on the ground.
We’re professional. We’re strategic. And we’re constantly spinning ten plates while juggling another five.
---
❌ Myth 6: “Charity CEOs are overpaid.”
This one gets thrown around a lot.
The truth? Most third sector CEOs are running entire organisations with tight budgets, huge responsibilities, and limited support. They’re writing funding bids, managing crises, covering staff gaps, overseeing safeguarding, and checking the fuse box when the lights go out.
If there’s luxury involved, it’s probably a working radiator.
---
💬 So, What Do We Want From You?
No, we’re not about to ask you to donate your last tenner. (Unless you want to — in which case, we’ll put it to good use.)
What we really want is:
· Understanding – Know that we’re not just “nice extras.” We’re key services.
· Respect – For our staff, our work, and the impact we make.
· Fair funding – Long-term, flexible support that reflects the real costs of what we do.
· Partnership – Talk to us, involve us, and recognise us as equals.
· Back us publicly – Whether you’re in business, local government, or another charity.
And if you bring us a working kettle, we’ll be forever grateful.
---
Final Word
Charities are not the fallback. We’re not fluffy. We’re not part-time. We’re not winging it.
We are professionals. We are community leaders. And we are holding things together when others can’t or won’t.
So next time someone says,
“Charities just…”
You can say,
“Actually, they do a lot more than you think.”
