Charities Institute Ireland hosts only Irish screening of new film 'Uncharitable

Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and featuring actor Ed Norton, this documentary is inspired by the influential work of Dan Pallotta, who has led the charge in redefining how we think about charity sector finances, particularly with regard to overhead costs.

Pallotta's central argument is that charities are often praised for minimizing their expenses, but that this approach can hinder their overall impact. He urges us to shift our mindset, recognizing and rewarding charities for their ambitious goals and significant achievements, even if that necessitates larger expenditures. This film invites us to reconsider our approach to effecting change on a global scale.

Áine Myler, CEO of Charities Institute Ireland, commented ahead of the screening, saying: "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.”

A panel discussion with experts from both the business and non-profit sectors followed the screening. The panelists 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.