# The Fundraising Signals You Can't Ignore in 2026 | Rick Dunham & Joshua Crowther

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cause-effect-podcast-1208889/the-fundraising-signals-you-can-t-ignore-in-2026-rick-dunham-joshua-crowther
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Podcast: [The Cause+Effect Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-cause-effect-podcast-1208889)
Published: 2026-03-05T11:00:04+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-fundraising-signals-you-can-t-ignore-in-2026-rick-dunham-joshua-crowther--70472506
Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/70472506/c_e_189_chronicles_research.mp3
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Duration seconds: 1568

## Resource

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

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