The Cause+Effect Podcast

As we look at today’s digital landscape, we can easily see how crowded the marketplace has become, placing a greater demand for quality content to cut through the noise. On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we discuss the need for a solid SEO strategy to amplify your organization’s reach and create greater impact. Don’t miss out!

When you think of change management your mind likely flips toward systems, processes, and goals.Dunham+Company Chief Strategist, Jonathan Pitts, joins the podcast to discuss how to navigate change by suggesting that one of the greatest things to consider in change management is you. Your soul. Your growth. Your Christlikeness. Jonathan shares three lessons he has learned that will certainly help you navigate a season of change: 1) assume the Lord is provoking the change; 2) assume He cares about your character more than anything; and 3) assume God wants your relationships to stay intact. Change is inevitable. Tension in change is inevitable. How you manage that change is up to you. Join us on this episode to learn how to change well!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the nonprofit world by providing tools for better outreach and engagement through personalized messaging and content delivery. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, taped live at the Dunham-Company Annual Summit, James Poulter joins us to discuss the changes and speculate about the future of AI's impact on ministry work. He champions the integration of AI in ministry, harnessing its analytical capabilities to deepen understanding of constituent needs, automate mundane tasks, and empower ministers to focus on meaningful interactions within their communities. Poulter is a distinguished digital marketing professional and technology expert, with a particular emphasis on Conversational AI strategy. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Vixen Labs, James has been instrumental in establishing the company as Europe's leading full-service Voice Agency. Vixen Labs specializes in voice consultancy and design, assisting brands in leveraging voice-first technology and conversational interfaces for effective communication and promotion.

Donors give to organizations and ministries that they trust, to leaders that they trust, and where they think their donations will make a difference. Taped at Dunham+Company’s Annual Summit, Trent and Rick Dunham are joined by Una Osili to discuss the current landscape of generosity, current trends, and future expectations around non-profit giving. Osili is the Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is a global expert on philanthropy with more than two decades of experience in leadership, economic policy and research across the public and private sectors.

Organizations go through different phases of growth, but not every phase requires the same type of leadership to experience success. In this episode, popular podcast host and thought leader Carey Nieuwhof and Trent Dunham discuss three different kinds of leadership that are necessary for three very distinct phases of organizational growth. Listen today to discover if your leadership lines up with the phase of growth your organization is in.

Captured live from the Dunham+Company 2024 Summit in Anaheim, California, Trent Dunham reveals ten trends that ministries should be preparing for in the new year. This includes the increased use of text as a communications medium (including fundraising), the reality of AI and its impact, the continued fragmentation of audiences, and more!

It is simply impossible for a ministry to reach its full impact without utilizing video as a key component of the messaging. In our latest episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we dive into the dynamic world of video storytelling for ministries and its pivotal role in fundraising. Dan Sumpter, Chief Creative Officer, and Nils Smith, Chief Strategist for Social Media and Innovation, join Trent Dunham to showcase the unique power of video in capturing and conveying ministry impact and creating a deeper emotional connection with audiences. You’ll gain valuable insights on creating compelling video content that vividly brings your ministry's mission to life and effectively boosts fundraising efforts. And you’ll learn how to harness the transformative power of visual storytelling to uplift and inspire your ministry's community and move them to their deepest level of engagement with your organization.

Most leaders want to avoid focusing time and resources on their technology infrastructure, yet it is likely the secret to freeing up more time and resources to fulfill ministry goals. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Danielle Rice, Chief Technology Officer at Dunham+Company, to explore how robust and healthy technology infrastructure can help ministries more effectively spread their message, connect with followers, streamline operations, create digitally secure environments, and steward resources – both time and money. In this current digital age, a robust technology foundation is an essential tool for empowering ministries to reach their desired audience and fulfill their unique mission.

No ministry can reach its maximum impact without a great website that is easy to use and engages the user.On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Nils Smith, Chief Strategist for Social Media and Innovation, and Madison Delage, Associate Director of Digital Strategy, join the show to explore the essential elements and changing technology involved in website development. Listeners will hear how a great website must connect with donors, provide transparency, and be the primary tool that communicates a ministry's core message and ultimately, enhances the ministry's effectiveness and impact. Everyone knows that having a great website is a non-negotiable and now you will have the tools to get it done!

Podcasting has now become an essential tool to extending a ministry's reach and for sharing your unique Kingdom message.The importance of podcasting in building a platform has never been more clear, and in this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Nils Smith and Director of Podcasting, Chris Lawson, to discuss the current state of podcasting, trends that will shape 2024, and the keys to developing successful podcasting content.What platforms are growing? What are the best tricks for growing your audience? Should you use video as a part of your podcasting strategy? All these questions and more are answered in today's episode - don't miss out!

If you think direct mail is a tool of the past, think again! It has never been more important. On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Founder+Chairman, Rick Dunham, and Client Success Lead, Kaitlyn Riley, join the show to examine how direct mail can bring significant benefits to sharing your ministry's message and impact.Listeners will hear how It provides a personal and tangible connection with your target audience, leaves a lasting impression, and effectively enables you to convey your ministry's message, events and initiatives in a fresh way. As year-end nears, it might just be time for your ministry to consider the role direct mail could plan in your overall strategy!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the ministry landscape and the team at Dunham+Company is constantly evaluating how these new tools can move your cause forward. On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Chief Technology Officer, Danielle Rice, and Chief Strategist Social Media+Innovation, Nils Smiths, join the show to discuss the creative ways non-profit organizations can harness the power of AI tools to enhance their impact and efficiency. From streamlining administrative tasks, optimize resource allocation, improve program effectiveness, repurposing content, to increasing organization security, AI is here to stay and by adopting AI tools, ministries can maximize their reach and impact, ultimately advancing their mission.

A clear and compelling brand is key to anyone understanding the identity and purpose of your organization. Yet, unfortunately, most organizations lack a brand that is well defined and deeply integrated into the organization's identity.Dan Sumpter, the Chief Creative Officer of Dunham+Company, joins the Cause+Effect Podcast to offer insights on how ministry leaders can discover the core emotional essence of their brand, define the deliverable promise, and effectively implement strategies around a clear brand identity that leads to more impact and better results.

We all know that a nonprofit board can either be an accelerant and encouragement to its leaders, or it can serve as an obstacle to achieving organizational goals. What makes the difference? On this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, you will learn how to avoid miscommunication around specific roles and responsibilities, the best ways for governing boards to provide support, and how leaders can work in tandem with Boards to move the mission forward.

Nils Smith, the Chief Strategist of Social Media+Innovation at Dunham+Company, returns to the Cause+Effect Podcast to discuss the enormous changes at Twitter and whether ministry leaders should consider using Threads from Instagram. In addition, he discusses the shifting landscape of the broader social media world, including: vertical video, the increasing dominance of YouTube, and how ministries must adapt quickly to reach new followers and increase their engagement.

God gives seasons for a reason. But, seasons change and change is inevitable in healthy and thriving organizations. Yet, navigating change is one of the more difficult tasks any leader or organization faces. On today's episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Tomlinson, the CEO of BDI (a full-service, omni-channel, marketing and fundraising agency for nonprofits) joins Trent Dunham to discuss their own experiences with navigating change and share what lessons they have learned for the path forward.

As a Fellow at the Cultural Research Center and Associate Professor of Humanities at Arizona Christian University, Dr. Adam Rasmussen draws upon his 25 years of experience in Christian education to inspire students to thrive under the Lordship of Christ in all aspects of their lives. With a passion for helping students connect their faith with reason and culture, he guides them to make meaningful and relevant connections that go beyond mere academic study.The Cultural Research Center's most recent research has considered what type of Christian leader is more likely to hold Biblical views. We are excited to discuss these findings and other important insights from Dr. Rasmussen's research.

On this "Best Of" episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we revisit our time focused on how artificial intelligence is changing the nonprofit landscape and the keys to successfully navigating change. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, you will hear leaders from Dunham+Company's technology and innovation teams discuss how AI can help nonprofits achieve their missions. In addition, Jonathan Pitts, joins the podcast to discuss how to navigate change by suggesting that one of the greatest things to consider in change management is yourself.

On this "Best Of" episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, we revisit our time with Dr. George Barna and our Chief Technology Officer at Dunham+Company, Danielle Rice. Best Selling Author and leading researcher, Dr. Barna, discusses his most recent research which dives into what type of Christian leader is more likely to hold Biblical views. In addition, Danielle joins the show to discuss how to move from tactics to strategy when using data in your organization.

In light of our current economy, it’s crucial to get a grip on how the economy and inflation have impacted giving. In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast Rick Dunham, Founder+Chair of Dunham+Company and Trent Dunham, President+CEO, highlight some important findings from the recent release of Giving USA 2023: The Annual Report on Philanthropy. This podcast will help you better understand giving trends in America and their implications for your organization. Together, let’s arm ourselves with this relevant data to make more impact… all for the greater good.