The Cause+Effect Podcast

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

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Rick Dunham, Founder and Chairman, and Josh Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, for a practical conversation about the new Giving USA 2026 report and what it means for churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations.

Charitable giving reached $617.2 billion in 2025 and grew even after adjusting for inflation. But behind that healthy top-line number are important shifts in how and where people give. Rick and Josh unpack the surge in bequests, the growing influence of donor-advised funds, declining donor participation, and the challenges facing giving to religious organizations.

From beginning a planned giving conversation to preparing for transformational gifts and building a broader community of support, this episode turns the data into practical next steps. Trent, Rick, and Josh also explore what Gen Z’s generosity could mean for the future and why consistent, story-driven communication is essential for moving donor relationships beyond the transactional. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00 — Introduction
01:04 — What Giving USA Tells Us About 2025
06:10 — What Drove the Growth in Giving
07:02 — The Rise of Bequests and Planned Giving
12:09 — Where Donors Are Directing Their Gifts
19:21 — Donor Participation and Building from the Bottom Up
24:40 — Rebuilding Community Around Your Mission
27:09 — What Gen Z Signals About the Future of Giving
31:39 — Telling Stories That Connect Donors to Impact

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, CEO+ President of Dunham+Co, is joined by Brian Mountjoy, Chief Culture Officer at Dunham+Co, for a conversation on what it really takes to build and sustain a healthy organizational culture.

Through stories ranging from chicken coops and workplace brackets to unforgettable moments of caring for people well, Trent and Brian unpack why culture is not created by slogans, parties, or values on a wall. It is shaped every day by intentional leaders who love their people, model their values, and create an environment where others feel seen, known, and cared for.

Whether you lead a nonprofit, church, ministry, or business, this episode will challenge you to ask a simple but important question: what is one practical thing you can do today to strengthen the culture of your organization?

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction
01:40 – Why Culture Requires Proactive Investment
04:02 – Culture Is Not a One-Time Event
05:39 – What Chickens Can Teach Us About Leadership
11:46 – Loving People in the Way They Need to Be Loved
19:12 – Simple Ways to Make Culture Real
30:18 – Challenge to Leaders

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, sits down with Josh Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the real reasons donors lapse. Some reasons are outside an organization’s control, like personal financial pressure, economic uncertainty, or shifting cultural attitudes toward generosity. But many causes are self-inflicted — including silence, poor communication, overused urgency, and fundraising tactics that prioritize immediate ROI over long-term relationship.

Trent and Josh discuss how organizations can identify lapsed donors, avoid common retention mistakes, and build stronger communication strategies that re-engage supporters. They also explore why lapsed donors often still see themselves as connected to your mission — and why that should change the way nonprofits communicate with them.

For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and ministry teams, this conversation offers practical insight into donor retention, reactivation, and building lasting relationships with the people who make your mission possible.

CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
01:12 – Why donors stop giving
02:00 – Economic uncertainty and donor confidence
04:38 – The decline in charitable giving
07:05 – Why silence causes donors to lapse
10:36 – The problem with constant urgency
13:18 – Treating donors like wallets
15:28 – How to re-engage lapsed donors

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined again by Eric Gomez, COO of Dunham+Co, for part two of their conversation around Trent’s Top 10 for 2026.

Picking up with the second half of the list, Trent and Eric discuss how nonprofit leaders can use data visualization to make better decisions, why every communication channel matters, and how organizations should approach AI with more than reactionary experimentation. They also explore the importance of leadership modeling healthy work, the danger of blind spots, and what Dunham+Co’s 25th anniversary represents beyond celebration.

For nonprofit executives, ministry leaders, and fundraising teams preparing for 2026, this conversation offers practical guidance on strategy, culture, communication, and leadership for the road ahead.

Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome to Cause+Effect
01:16 — Data Visualization That Drives Strategy
07:11 — The Metrics Nonprofit CEOs Should Watch
08:55 — Why Every Communication Channel Matters
13:16 — Building a Documented AI Strategy
22:19 — Leadership Modeling Healthy Work
30:09 — 25-Years of Dunham+Co and What’s Ahead

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Eric Gomez, COO of Dunham+Co, for a practical conversation on key trends and opportunities facing churches and nonprofit organizations in 2026.

Drawing from Trent’s annual “Top 10” insights shared at the Dunham+Co client summit, Trent and Eric unpack five major areas leaders should be paying attention to: how to maximize every piece of content, why donor education around tax code changes matters, why now may be a strong moment for capital campaigns, how personal touch can deepen donor relationships, and why video should be part of every podcast strategy.

From sermons and podcasts to handwritten notes and capital campaign communication, this conversation challenges leaders to think beyond more activity and instead focus on greater effectiveness, stronger relationships, and more impact.

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CHAPTERS:

00:00 — Welcome to Cause+Effect
01:00 — Eric’s Journey to Dunham+Co
03:05 — Maximizing Every Piece of Content
09:35 — Donor Education and Tax Code Changes
13:30 — Why Now Is a Strong Time for Capital Campaigns
18:40 — How to Launch a Campaign the Right Way
23:45 — Personal Touch in an Automated World
27:55 — Why Podcasts Need Video

Does giving really go down in the summer—or have nonprofits simply come to expect it?

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, is joined by Joshua Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the myths and realities of summer giving. Together, they discuss how disrupted rhythms, vacations, fiscal year timing, and donor communication all shape giving behavior during the summer months.

Rather than accepting the “summer slump” as inevitable, Trent and Josh explore how nonprofits, churches, and ministries can use this season to communicate urgency, tell compelling stories, steward donors well, and create momentum heading into the fall.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction 01:27 – Is the Summer Giving Slump Real?
03:30 – Disrupted Rhythms and Donor Behavior
06:03 – Fiscal Year-End as a Summer Opportunity
08:00 – Creating Urgency During a Low-Urgency Season
10:40 – Don’t Let Summer Become a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
13:27 – Building Momentum Out of Summer
19:16 – Final Encouragement: Try Something Different

Is a spiritual resurgence really happening or are we just seeing isolated moments?

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham sits down with David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, to talk about what Barna’s latest research is revealing about faith, church attendance, and spiritual openness in America.

David shares why younger generations, especially Gen Z, may be showing more openness to Jesus than many leaders expected, why that openness does not always translate into comfort with traditional church structures, and what it means for ministries trying to reach the next generation. Together, Trent and David unpack the opportunities and challenges facing church leaders today, from discipleship and mentorship to intergenerational ministry and creating environments where people can truly be known.

This conversation is both encouraging and clarifying for leaders asking a critical question: is the Church prepared for what may be coming next?

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:06 Live from the Dunham+Company Summit
02:52 Is a spiritual resurgence happening?
08:42 Gen Z, Jesus, and the future church
12:07 Is the church ready for this moment?
19:10 Why mentorship and healthy leadership matter
26:29 The church’s opportunity with the next generation
33:55 Outro

In this episode of Cause+Effect, Trent Dunham is joined by Matthew Luhn — writer, animator, director, author, and longtime Pixar story leader. Drawing from his work on Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, Up, and more, Matthew shares what makes a story memorable and why great storytelling is essential for leaders, ministries, and nonprofits trying to inspire action.

Together, Trent and Matthew explore why facts alone rarely stick, how story creates emotional connection, why the audience should be seen as the hero, and how organizations can better communicate mission through compelling, human-centered narratives. Matthew also unpacks simple storytelling principles leaders can use right away to make their message clearer, stronger, and more impactful.

Show Notes:

Pickup a copy of Matthew's book: https://a.co/d/07QnkFfm

In this episode of Cause+Effect, Trent Dunham sits down with James “JP” Poulter, Head of Innovation at Dunham+Company and author of AI at Work (coming August 2026), for a timely conversation on what AI means for ministry leaders right now.

JP breaks down the fast shift from conversational AI to agentic AI, explains why leaders should stop treating AI like just an answer engine, and offers practical ways organizations can use these tools to reduce administrative burden and create more space for mission-focused work. Together, Trent and JP explore “reverse prompting,” the rise of AI use inside organizations (even unknowingly), and why every ministry needs to think seriously about ethics, governance, and stewardship as these tools become more embedded in daily work.

The takeaway is clear: AI is not a conversation leaders can afford to postpone. The goal is not simply greater efficiency, but wiser innovation that helps organizations increase their effectiveness for more impact.

In this episode of The Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham is joined by Rick Dunham, Founder and Chairman of Dunham+Company, and Josh Crowther, Vice President of Dunham+Company, to unpack key findings from the latest Donor Confidence Report.

Together, they explore what the research reveals about donor behavior heading into 2026: why more donors say they may give less, how economic fear is shaping generosity, why direct mail still matters more than many organizations realize, how text messaging is emerging as an underused fundraising channel, and why nonprofits need to pay attention to donor education around recent tax-law changes.

They also discuss the practical implications for nonprofit leaders, including how to reduce friction in online giving, better measure fundraising effectiveness, and communicate in ways that build trust and response in a changing environment.

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Check out the report here: https://www.dunhamandcompany.com/insights/

In this episode of The Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham sits down with Matt Potter, co-founder of PRAY.COM, for a candid conversation on how mission-driven leaders can build, test, and scale with both conviction and clarity. Matt shares his providential story—from adoption and early exposure to tech, to stepping into a calling that led to PRAY.COM’s launch in 2016—and the leadership mindset that helped them pivot from ideas that sounded right to solutions that actually served people.

Together, they unpack rapid obedience, “fail fast” experimentation, and the importance of building a culture where learning is safe. You’ll hear how PRAY.COM moved from prayer-wall community features to guided prayers and devotionals, why data dashboards and AI tools (like PRAY Studio) matter for ministries today, and what it looks like to shift from founder-driven skill to scalable systems and leaders.

Recorded live at the Dunham+Company Summit, Trent Dunham sits down with Pastor Adam Mesa of Patria Church for a grounded conversation about keeping ministry and mission-driven work personal. Adam shares lessons from a healthy leadership transition, how Patria's content strategy is designed to be a “front door” for people exploring faith, how Psalm 23 reframes leadership as shepherding, and how God always cares about the one, the individual.

The heartbeat of the episode is simple: don’t get so busy that you miss chances to reach the one right in front of you, because the Shepherd never does.

What makes a team want to show up—and what causes even mission-driven organizations to quietly drift into burnout, confusion, or disengagement?

Trent Dunham sits down with Jenni Catron, Founder & CEO of The 4Sight Group and author of Culture Matters, for a practical conversation about building environments where people thrive. Jenni shares why culture can’t be left to chance, how “environment” shapes engagement (often more than we realize), and why clarity is one of the strongest indicators of a healthy culture.

If you want to learn how to build a healthy culture within your organization or team, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

In this episode, host Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Company, is joined by Josh Crowther, VP at Dunham+Company, to discuss how ministries and organizations can start 2026 strong. Together, they explore key strategies for effective communication, donor engagement, and vision casting to set the tone for a successful year.

From debunking the myth of "donor fatigue" to practical tips on leveraging the new year for deeper connections with supporters, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead your organization with clarity and purpose.

Tune in to learn how to engage your audience, cast a compelling vision, and position your ministry for impact in 2026!

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham is joined by Rick Dunham, founder and chairman of Dunham+Company, to discuss how leaders can navigate turbulent times in fundraising. With 2025 coming to a close and 2026 on the horizon, they explore practical strategies for staying grounded, retaining donors, and maintaining a donor-centric approach during challenging seasons.

From emphasizing the importance of retention to making strategic budget decisions, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help organizations weather financial uncertainty while staying true to their mission.

Tune in for a timely discussion on leading with clarity, focusing on the fundamentals, and positioning your organization for long-term success!

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham sits down with Dan Sumpter, Chief Product Officer and creative leader at Dunham+Company, to explore the fascinating world of creativity with a purpose.

Together, they dive into the challenges and opportunities of leading creative teams, dispelling myths about creativity, and offering practical insights for those who work with or manage creatives. From understanding the emotional and logical balance in creative work to eliminating waste in the creative process, this episode is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to harness creativity to solve problems and drive impact.

Tune in to learn how to align creativity with purpose and create work that truly resonates!

In this reflective episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham, President and CEO of Dunham+Company, takes a deep dive into one of the most critical traits of effective leadership: humility. Drawing from decades of experience and personal growth, Trent explores how humility shapes strong leadership, fosters wisdom, and empowers teams to thrive.

Whether you're leading an organization, a team, or simply influencing those around you, this episode offers practical insights on embracing humility, making hard decisions, and pursuing wisdom in your leadership journey. Tune in for actionable takeaways and a fresh perspective on what it means to lead with integrity and purpose.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on your own leadership and discover how humility can transform your impact!

In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham is joined by Matt Ferguson and Peter McGowan, two creative leaders with a passion for storytelling, marketing, and architecture. Together, they explore the power of storytelling in shaping organizations, creating meaningful spaces, and connecting with audiences in impactful ways.

From their work with Disney and Universal Studios to their innovative projects with churches and nonprofits, Matt and Peter share how intentional storytelling can transform not only physical spaces but also the way organizations engage with their communities.

Tune in to discover how to align your story with your mission, design spaces that inspire, and create experiences that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re leading a church, nonprofit, or business, this episode is packed with insights to help you think differently about the story you’re telling.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, host Trent Dunham dives into the fascinating and complex world of artificial intelligence with guest Drew Dickens. With over 25 years of ministry experience and a deep focus on the intersection of AI and spirituality, Drew brings a unique perspective on how AI is shaping our lives, our faith, and our organizations.

Together, they explore the practical applications of AI, its ethical implications, and how believers can navigate this rapidly evolving technology with wisdom and intentionality. Whether you’re a leader seeking to integrate AI into your organization or simply curious about its impact on your personal life and faith, this episode offers valuable insights and guidance.