This is true of all benevolent funds, and this is why we must all have a more open conversation about consolidation and why The Royal Society of the Support of Women of Scotland Society (RSSWS) has embraced it as it applies to funds supporting women. This wasn’t just a matter of compliance or convenience, it was about protecting a legacy, honouring a founder’s intent, and, crucially, ensuring that vital support reaches women in greatest need. They also align with the wider shift towards 'cash-first' approaches - a model that others are rediscovering, but which many benevolent funds pioneered more than a century ago. Scotland’s women deserve robust, resilient and impactful support, not fragmented good intentions. Andrew Tweedy is chief executive of The Royal Society for the Support of Women of Scotland, a Royal Charter charity providing financial support to single women facing hardship.