On November 14, 2024, Shuswap Community Foundation hosted a powerful screening and discussion of UnCharitable, a documentary that challenges long-standing assumptions about the nonprofit sector and offers a new vision for philanthropy.

The evening brought together a diverse mix of donors, local business leaders, investment advisors, nonprofit staff, and community members — all connected by a shared belief in the power of generosity to drive meaningful change. Some attendees would call themselves philanthropists; others might not use that word — yet all are vital to the strength of the Shuswap region.

The goal of the event was simple but ambitious:
Screening + Discussion = Mindset Shift + Action.

Through the lens of UnCharitable, participants were invited to rethink how charities are supported, and how donor behaviour can make a transformational difference at the local level.

Key Takeaways from UnCharitable:

The film explored five major barriers that nonprofits face — and challenged us to imagine a better way forward:

  • Compensation: Nonprofits often struggle to attract and retain skilled people because of pressure to keep wages low. Competitive salaries are vital for building capable, effective teams who can drive real impact.
  • Marketing and Advertising: Investment in marketing is sometimes viewed skeptically in the nonprofit world. Yet just like businesses, nonprofits need to build awareness and grow their reach to achieve bigger goals.
  • Risk and Innovation: Fear of donor backlash often prevents charities from taking risks. But innovation — and the risk that comes with it — is key to scaling new solutions to complex social problems.
  • Time Horizon: Nonprofits are typically expected to deliver immediate results, unlike for-profit ventures that are given time to develop and refine. Long-term strategies lead to deeper, more sustainable change.
  • Access to Capital: Because nonprofits cannot offer financial returns, they’re cut off from traditional investment pools. This limits their ability to grow ambitious ideas that could benefit communities in big ways.

Why It Matters for the Shuswap

The UnCharitable screening wasn’t just about identifying the challenges. It was about inspiring immediate, local action.
We encouraged participants to think about how they can:

  • Shift the narrative around overhead and operating costs.
  • Support charities with unrestricted funding that strengthens their infrastructure.
  • Embrace long-term investments in community initiatives instead of demanding short-term results.
  • Encourage innovation by allowing nonprofits the freedom to take smart risks.

When we fund charities differently — with trust, with patience, and with a willingness to invest in their growth — we unlock the full potential of philanthropy in the Shuswap.

The Conversation Continues

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important evening. Your presence, your ideas, and your passion for building a better community are what make gatherings like this so meaningful.

Together, we can move beyond old myths and create a charitable landscape that truly empowers organizations to change lives.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s rethink what’s possible. Let’s continue to build a thriving Shuswap, together.