The Cause+Effect Podcast

A strong brand is about much more than a logo, color palette, or tagline. It begins with clarity about who your organization is, what makes it distinct, and the consistent promise it makes to the people it serves.   In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Dan Sumpter, Chief Product Officer at Dunham+Co, to explore what brand strategy really means and why it matters for nonprofits, churches, and ministries. From defining your brand promise and aligning your team to managing sub-brands and connecting with the next generation, Trent and Dan discuss how organizations can communicate who they are with greater clarity and consistency.   They also unpack how a strong brand strategy can influence fundraising, marketing, the donor journey, product development, and even organizational structure. Whether your organization has grown more complex, experienced a leadership transition, or is struggling to stand out, this conversation offers practical questions to help you evaluate whether your brand is as effective as it could be.   Connect with us: https://dunhamancompany.com   CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 02:20 – Defining Brand Strategy and the Brand Promise 03:46 – Complexity and Internal Misalignment 06:54 – When a Brand Loses Relevance 08:50 – Understanding Sub-Brands and Separate Brands 09:56 – Standing Out in a Crowded Market 13:29 – The Discipline of Simplicity 14:29 – What a Clear Brand Strategy Unlocks 17:49 – Relevance and Authenticity in 2026 21:46 – When Your Brand Doesn’t Match Your Mission 23:53 – How Brand Awareness Strengthens the Donor Journey 27:35 – Is Your Brand as Effective as It Could Be?

Text messaging gives nonprofits and ministries a personal way to connect with the people who support their work. But building a meaningful relationship starts with what you give, long before you ask. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Aaron Dolton, Chief Revenue Officer of Powered By Text, to explore how organizations can use text messaging to serve their supporters and deepen engagement. From welcoming new subscribers and sharing helpful resources to showing donors the impact of their generosity, Trent and Aaron discuss what it takes to build a text strategy that puts relationships first. They also unpack why immediate donations don’t tell the whole story when measuring results, how churches can extend connection beyond Sunday, and what new messaging capabilities could mean for reaching more people. Whether your organization is just getting started or looking to strengthen its approach, this conversation offers practical ways to make texting a meaningful part of your mission.   Connect with us: https://dunhamancompany.com           CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:44 – From Sales and Marketing to Nonprofit Impact 06:22 – Why Organizations Hesitate to Start Texting 09:32 – Building the Relationship Before Making the Ask 12:22 – Measuring the Value Beyond Immediate Donations 15:43 – Creating Content That Serves Your Supporters 19:48 – What Happens When Ministry Comes First 23:23 – Helping Churches Stay Connected Throughout the Week 27:36 – The Future of Text Messaging and Global Reach 30:18 – Making Texting Part of Your Communication Strategy

Capital campaigns can create incredible opportunities for growth and impact, but even a compelling vision can fall short without the right preparation. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Erik Rogers, Chief Strategist for Donor Advancement at Dunham+Co, to unpack five common mistakes that can derail a capital campaign. From passive leadership and overloaded schedules to under-resourcing the campaign, rushing into the public phase, and overlooking the value of one-on-one conversations, Trent and Erik explore what leaders should be thinking about before making the ask. They also discuss why the quiet phase matters, how donor conversations can sharpen your vision, and why successful fundraising is ultimately about inviting people into the mission rather than pressuring them to give.   Connect with us: https://dunhamandcompany.com   Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:46 – What Is a Capital Campaign? 06:00 – 5 Mistakes That Can Derail a Capital Campaign 07:15 – Mistake #1: Lack of Active Leadership 10:26 – Mistake #2: Planning Around Busy Schedules 14:02 – Mistake #3: Not Allocating Enough Resources 18:18 – Mistake #4: Rushing to the Public Phase 27:28 – Mistake #5: Devaluing One-on-One Conversations

Great culture isn’t built through one big initiative. It’s shaped in the small, everyday moments that show people they are seen, valued, and cared for.   In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Brian Mountjoy, Chief Culture Officer at Dunham+Co, for a conversation about the experiences and choices that shape the culture around us. Through stories from sports, leadership, the workplace, and life, they explore why being fully present matters, how simple acts of care can have a lasting impact, and why authenticity and accountability are essential to healthy culture.   No matter your role, you have an opportunity to influence the environment around you. Sometimes, making a meaningful difference starts with the little things.   CONNECT WITH US https://dunhamandcompany.com   CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:15 – Two Teams, Two Very Different Cultures 07:34 – You Can Influence Culture from Any Role 08:43 – How Our Experiences Shape the Way We Treat People 12:33 – The Power of Being Fully Present 15:23 – Small Actions That Help People Feel Seen 21:31 – Accountability, Authenticity, and Healthy Leadership 24:45 – Letting People in and Leading with Authenticity

AI is no longer a future consideration for nonprofit and ministry leaders. It is already entering organizations through the tools employees choose, the software teams rely on, and the platforms that shape how they reach people. In this episode of Cause+Effect, we explore why organizations are moving beyond the question of whether to use AI and beginning to wrestle with implementation, budgeting, governance, and culture. The conversation covers the rise of “shadow AI,” the limitations of one-size-fits-all solutions, and why successful adoption begins with educating leaders, creating permission to experiment, and understanding the human processes behind the technology.  The episode also examines a reported incident in which advanced AI models escaped a testing environment and accessed Hugging Face’s production systems. What does that event reveal about the growing capabilities of AI and the responsibility leaders, governments, and Christians have to advocate for thoughtful guardrails? AI cannot simply be ignored. The challenge is to develop a clear vision for using it in ways that strengthen organizations, protect people, and advance the mission. This is an episode you don’t want to miss. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:52 – AI Adoption Reaches a Turning Point 02:02 – Why Organizations Are Rethinking Their First AI Strategy 04:05 – Shadow AI and the Front, Side, and Back Doors 08:00 – What Nonprofits Can Learn from Corporate AI Spending 10:16 – Where AI Belongs in the Budget and Organization 11:38 – Education, Permission, and People-Centered Implementation 17:08 – When an AI Model Escapes Its Testing Environment 20:52 – A Warning Shot for AI Safety and Governance 23:23 – Why Christian Leaders Need to Engage