Coming Soon - Nonprofit Documentary Everyone Should Watch
I've heard both sides of the argument. There are those who think he's inquisitive and challenging the status quo. There are also those who don't like him. Say what you want, but Dan Pallotta makes waves that cause many people to talk throughout our nonprofit industry. And it will start up again soon.
Based on his 2008 book Uncharitable: How Restraints on Nonprofits Undermine Their Potential, a documentary is being made and released in late March. Specifically, the documentary appears to address the constraints on compensation, risk capital issues, short-term vision challenges, and more that he's highlighted not only in his book but also in speaking opportunities. Having seen him on video and in person, it will no doubt mirror much of his philosophy, which has caused a stir in the nonprofit world.
I sometimes think we spend too much time talking about the messenger rather than having strategic conversations about the message. There's no doubt that Dan has caused many nonprofit leaders in our industry to consider the for-profit business world as it applies to the execution of charities’ organizational structures, investments, expenditures, engagements, and more. But yet, there are too many people who can't see through the messenger to the actual message.
Why is it so bad for us to have conversations about how nonprofits can be more effective using tried and true strategies from the for-profit world? And what are those strategies from the for-profit world that fit well not only with the industry as a whole but more importantly for individual nonprofits?
From my perspective, having strategic conversations about how a nonprofit can be more effective is exactly the board-level, long-term discussion every nonprofit should have yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It doesn't mean everything Dan articulates fits with every single nonprofit. I would argue some of his strategies and philosophies are less applicable to very small nonprofits. But why can't we look at the overall goodness that comes from challenging the status quo? And then follow up with how do we get better?
That's what the book did. My hope is the documentary will do the same.