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Charities Institute Ireland hosted the only Irish screening of Dan Pallotta’s new film ‘Uncharitable’ on September 28.
Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, the documentary film challenges longstanding preconceptions about how the charity sector is resourced, and features actor and founder of Crowdrise Ed Norton, among others. It is inspired by the work of Dan Pallotta, who has led the charge in redefining how charity sector finances are thought about – particularly overhead costs.
Pallotta argues that charities are often praised for minimizing their expenses, but that this approach can hinder their overall impact. As such, he urges a shift in mindset to recognize and reward charities for their goals and achievements, even if it means greater spend, with the film invites viewers to reconsider how we approach effecting change on a global scale.
Speaking ahead of the screening, Áine Myler, CEO of Charities Institute Ireland, commented:
“Charities play an indispensable role in our community and economy. According to a recent report by the Charities Regulator, 1 in 8 adults in Ireland are employed in the sector (281,000), and one in five Irish adults (648,000) volunteer in some capacity, including 46,000 charity trustees. It’s evident that the effective, efficient operation of these services, in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, is to the advantage of everyone involved.
“Regrettably, misunderstandings about the functioning of charities, combined with insufficient funding and misguided criticisms of overhead costs, have led to a situation where many charities are underinvesting in essential areas. We believe it is now vital to unite and discuss how we can shift this narrative.
“We are thrilled to convene this gathering to deliberate and discuss this critical issue, collaborating to do what we excel at – addressing complex social problems and aiding those in need.”
Almost 200 people attended the screening, which was followed by a panel discussion with experts from both the business and nonprofit sectors. The panellists offered their insights and views on the film and the broader charitable sector, encouraging attendees to consider how the film’s message could help transform the narrative for Irish charities.
Picture by Alex Litvin on Unsplash
