The Cause+Effect Podcast

If you’re wondering how to keep your donors engaged as you head toward year-end, this one’s for you! D+C CEO and Founder Rick Dunham lays out the state of giving coming out of 2019, the effects of the pandemic in 2020, and some things to anticipate as we head into Quarter 4. He points to some of the characteristics associated with people who are more likely to stay financially engaged with nonprofits and the crucial need to double down on efforts to be relevant and authentic.

Danny Forshee is the Lead Pastor at Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin, Texas and is passionate about motivating his people to share the gospel on a regular basis. In this episode, he challenges leaders to stay emotionally healthy by paying attention to biblical rest. Here’s your opportunity to take inventory when it comes to your pace of life and ministry.

When a crisis hits, often major donors are the first to pull back. It’s been a wild ride in 2020 and Chief Strategist Major Gift Services at Dunham+Company, Erik Rogers, helps to make some sense of it all when it comes to keeping your major donors close and engaged. He also predicts how your organization’s major gifts will likely be impacted in Q4.

Joshua Crowther, Executive Director of Dunham+Company Australia, joins Trent to talk about the driving force of all we do (hint: Kingdom impact), how and why your ministry should define outcomes, and why it’s so important to value people over profit. Josh is passionate about his calling and has a perspective on this global pandemic you’ll want to hear. It’s pretty dark out there right now… but be encouraged – the light is breaking through.

As a ministry or organization, are you disciplined in your communication when it comes to your identity? When you’re presented with a new challenge (like the past 6 months!), how do you process it understanding the core of who you are? Brandon Thomas, Founding Pastor of Keystone Church, unpacks this concept and speaks to the importance of staying true to your DNA, even when the seasons change.

Short answer: YES! Liz West, Chief Strategist, Branding and Marketing at Dunham+Company, joins Trent to unpack the importance of assessing the deepest needs of your target audience and identifying your distinctiveness as an organization.

Nathan Brown is the CEO of Christian Media and Arts Australia (CMAA), a catalyst to empower those who reach the world through arts and media. His discussion with Trent will challenge you as a leader to continuously “reinvent” your ministry during this strange season and will help you understand two things: How people are using media and the arts to reach people for Jesus in savvy, smart ways; and why we, as Christian organizations, are better together.

Trent interviews his long-time friend, Michael Tomlinson (“MT”), the president and CEO of Brewer Direct, a full-service fundraising agency serving faith-first Christian nonprofits. MT gives us a powerful charge when it comes to refining and improving our strategies in the midst of this crisis. He offers five pivot points to pay attention to in the next six to twelve months, shares what’s keeping him up at night, and two bright spots he’s most excited about. A big takeaway: “The future is going to be an exciting new version that really doesn't look like the past."

Martin West, founder of XGAP (Execution Gap), has been a coach and mentor to D+C for the past 10+ years. His expertise is helping organizations fill the gap between their current performance and their ultimate potential. On this episode, Martin talks with Trent about how to fulfill your vision by focusing on goals and execution, team cohesiveness, and healthy leadership. In the midst of a global pandemic, he encourages us to embrace the messiness, stay vulnerable, and as best we can, simplify.

Trent is interviewed by Nils Smith, Chief Strategist of Social Media+Innovation at D+C, about lessons he’s learned while leading through a pandemic. They go behind the scenes about Trent’s life over the last few months leading a company through constant changes and uncertainty, while also leading his home and family well. Nils and Trent reflect on new opportunities for innovation that crisis brings, the challenge of staying mentally focused, and what post-COVID-19 life might look like.