
The Cause+Effect Podcast
Tired of doing things the same. way. every. year? The Cause+Effect Podcast, brought to you by the Dunham Podcast Network, is a fresh voice that breaks down the latest fundraising trends, leadership lessons and the ups and downs of the nonprofit industry. Our host Trent Dunham talks to a variety of guests with effective strategies and stories that inspire us. The goal? Increased effectiveness for more impact.
Latest episodes

Apr 8, 2021 • 36min
Further Your Reach Through Audiobooks
If anything has taken off in the last decade, certainly it’s audio consumption. In part six of Trent’s 10-part series on things to look out for in 2021, Cory Verner, President and CEO of ONE Audiobooks takes the mic to unpack how to maximize your audiobook strategy. Cory has a gift for helping ministries and publishers leverage this format… a format with the highest engagement in publishing. He gives specifics on production, distribution and shares a few landmines to look out for along the way. When it comes to demographics, the data doesn’t lie: Everyone is listening.

Apr 1, 2021 • 25min
Cultivating Your Mid-Level Donors
In part 5 of our 10-part series, Erik Rogers, D+C Chief Strategist for Major Gifts, dives into the importance of a defined strategy to invest in your mid-level donors and why it’s crucial to the growth of your organization in 2021. Erik and Trent explore how to identify a mid-level donor, specific ways to cultivate that relationship and keep them engaged, and intentional strategies to see year-over-year growth as a result of their giving. Listen today! One takeaway: It goes beyond simply the next gift… it’s all about seeing donors become truly invested in the ministry.

Mar 25, 2021 • 46min
Successful Texting Strategies for Your Ministry
If texting is not a part of your 2021 strategy, it will be after you listen to this. In part four of our 10-part series, Mike Cantrell, founder of Ministry by Text joins the podcast to lay out the importance of integrating text messaging as part of your omni-channel communication plan… and doing it effectively. Mike gives us the two most important things to think about as you launch your text strategy and offers proven tactics for utilizing this popular tool. Text has the highest open rate of any communication channel today… the time is now!

Mar 18, 2021 • 38min
Telling Your Story in 2021
In part 3 of our 10-part series, Trent unpacks the need to clarify your brand and case for support in 2021. In a world that’s getting noisier by the minute, what makes you distinct from other organizations and how do you communicate that effectively? How good are you at listening and how do you determine the felt need of your audience? Are you telling your story consistently? So much has changed in the last year, but we’ve learned a lot! Listen today for practical steps will lead you toward more impact in 2021.

Mar 11, 2021 • 40min
Is Cryptocurrency Right for My Ministry?
Part 2 in this 10-part series, Trent welcomes our friends from Engiven, a company on a mission to crypto enable the nonprofit community. They unpack its functionality and purpose, some macro trends they are seeing, and when and how this currency might normalize. Don’t be overwhelmed! It’s so much easier and more accessible than you think.

Mar 4, 2021 • 23min
Will Giving Drop Noticeably in 2021?
Part 1 in this 10-part series, Trent talks with Rick Dunham, Founder and CEO of Dunham+Company, about a number of factors that are likely to contribute to what happens to giving to charities in the U.S. in 2021. Should we anticipate similar levels of giving in 2021 that we saw in 2020, or are things about to get much worse? Rick and Trent discuss several factors and their likelihood to contribute the philanthropic landscape in 2021 and beyond.

Feb 25, 2021 • 42min
The Power of a Blessing
In this episode of the Dunham podcast, Trent interviews Alan Wright, lead pastor at Reynolda Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to unpack incredible insight from his book, ‘The Power to Bless, How to Speak Life and Empower the People You Love.’ You’ll discover what Alan calls the most important spoken blessing in the Bible, learn how to move from an ‘unblessed mentality’ to a ‘blessed mentality,’ and pinpoint five struggles of the unblessed life. Listen today!

Feb 11, 2021 • 46min
Apple v Facebook: What the iOS 14 Update Means for You
Join as Trent unpacks how this update will greatly affect its users, the importance of transparency from big tech, the implications for Facebook, and why it’s critically important to stay informed, now more than ever. Listen to the end for three practical tips on what you can start doing… today.

Feb 4, 2021 • 30min
Data-Driven Decision Making
We’re all leaning into the digital environment more than ever, and leading that charge is our Chief Strategist for Digital + Data Science, Danielle Rice. Danielle has found a niche in applying for-profit technologies and cutting-edge innovation to nonprofits like you. She unpacks why data science should be a priority, gives practical, accessible digital marketing tips for churches and nonprofits, and shares what she’s most excited about in 2021. The heart behind it all? Technology can be used to change lives – so let’s be smart about it.

Jan 28, 2021 • 59min
Defining Your Path with Steve Gatena
Understanding someone else’s story often informs and gives perspective to your own. And this is one story you’ll want to hear! Today Trent talks with Steve Gatena, CEO of pray.com, the one-stop shop for faith audio content. Steve unpacks his eventful journey to creating what he calls the ‘digital destination to faith’, leadership lessons he learned along the way, the challenges of launching something from nothing, and the key to healthy innovation.