Carl Butler: First Bequest Gift Received

Poverty; climate change; human rights; housing; name any major social challenge, and you can be sure nonprofits are at the forefront working on solutions.

We know you understand the essential role of local nonprofits because we’ve seen the generous support you provide. However, you may not be aware of the daily struggles of nonprofits, or how long-held beliefs about giving may be holding local organizations back from achieving greater impact.

As a place-based funder, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington thinks about these topics often. Our team works with local nonprofits and donors to discuss how we can support local nonprofits and create the most good with our region’s charitable dollars. So, when some of our staff saw a screening of UnCharitable, we also saw a perfect opportunity to discuss the topic of charity with a wider community audience.

We weren’t the only ones though. A diverse group of community partners met afterward and decided to team up for a free screening of the film in Vancouver. If you’re interested, you can learn more and register for UnCharitable: A documentary and dialogue to reimagine giving.

What UnCharitable Offers for Our Community

UnCharitable is a thought-provoking documentary created by Dan Pallotta, a social entrepreneur, philanthropist and activist from Massachusetts. The film expands on his highly acclaimed book and viral TED Talk, which have sparked a national conversation about charity in the U.S.

The film shines a light on societal perceptions and financial models that shape the nonprofit sector. From compensation and marketing to risk and capital, UnCharitable shows how nonprofits work from a dated rulebook that keeps them falling short of solving the big problems they were designed to address.

There are a lot of takeaways we can apply locally, and that’s the first of five reasons why UnCharitable is worth a watch.

1. A Local Take on a National Conversation

Since Dan’s TED Talk, charity watchdogs and funders have publicly criticized the overhead ratio as a measure of nonprofit success. Yet, studies show that most grants still fail to cover a nonprofit’s full costs, and many donors still base giving decisions on overhead ratios. This documentary and discussion will allow us to examine how this affects local nonprofits and our community.

2. Learn What Makes Nonprofits Successful

Donors, volunteers, and community champions often want to know if their support is making a difference or “going toward the cause.” It's important to recognize that nonprofits need more than just program funding to be effective. UnCharitable will provide first-hand stories that show the full picture of what nonprofits need to deliver impactful programs and services.

3. Support Nonprofit Innovation

Big problems are not solved through small thinking. By exposing outdated views on charity, UnCharitable advocates for a model of giving that allows nonprofits to take risks and innovate. We know local donors are ready to invest in this work, and this event will highlight ways we can all empower nonprofits to test and tinker with new ideas.

4. Transform Your Giving for Greater Impact

Learn how to apply lessons from the film to your giving through trust-based practices and funding that covers the full cost of delivering programs and services. Our panelists will share ideas and insights to evolve our giving, and you’ll even receive an action card highlighting practical ways to give for greater impact.

5. Help Build a More Resilient Nonprofit Sector

Strong nonprofits are like stem cells, focused on repairing and improving communities. These organizations meet urgent needs and drive long-term, systemic changes that benefit everyone. By applying the ideas shared at UnCharitable, we can shift our approach and create new models that allow nonprofits and our communities to flourish.

A Community Movement

As we continue to face complex challenges in southwest Washington, it’s clear that we will continue to need more from our nonprofits. But to unlock their full potential to drive meaningful change, we also need to rethink how we—as community members—support them.

Attending UnCharitable is a chance to start this conversation. Even more, it’s how you can become part of a larger movement to empower nonprofits and create a lasting impact in our region.

No matter who you are or how you give, you’ll walk away ready to do things differently when it comes to making a difference. So, register today and join the discussion on October 30 to help us reimagine giving for a flourishing future.