Title: Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Company: 3W Philanthropic Ventures
Location: Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Dan Bolsen, co-founder and chief executive officer at 3W Philanthropic Ventures, has been recognized by Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in philanthropic services.
Mr. Bolsen’s exceptional career reflects a remarkable trajectory in the not-for-profit and philanthropic services sector, where he has developed expertise in frontline fundraising, high-level donor relationships and executive management. As co-founder and chief executive officer of 3W Philanthropic Ventures since 2026, he bridges traditional wealth management, finance and philanthropy. Furthermore, Mr. Bolsen’s responsibilities include serving as a liaison among legal, financial and philanthropic professionals, coordinating multidisciplinary advisory services for individuals, families and foundations and integrating legal, financial and philanthropic strategies.
In his present positions, Mr. Bolsen’s also provides end-to-end consulting services tailored to client needs, designs philanthropic architecture and applies his knowledge of complex financial vehicles to support clients’ giving goals. 3W Philanthropic Ventures operates nationally across the United States with a headquarters in Nashville and maintains a series of Nevada-based entities. Under Mr. Bolsen’s leadership, the aforementioned company has grown to include seven team members who have worked together for more than a decade, a testament to the culture of trust and excellence he fosters.
Moreover, Mr. Bolsen has found success as executive consultant and chief impact officer at AffirmedRx PBC since 2025. In this capacity, he continues to expand his reach within the industry while simultaneously working as the chief impact officer at Bowtie Therapeutic Benefits. Prior to these ventures, Mr. Bolsen previously served in multiple positions at the Purdue for Life Foundation between 2016 and 2025, including as the director of development, the senior director of development, the chief development officer for pharmacy, the executive director of development for special operations, and the executive director of development for health, life and computational sciences.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Bolsen was appointed as the associate director of development at Millikin University from 2015 to 2016 following his graduate assistantship with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 2013 to 2015. He began his career as the farm manager at Bolsen Angus Farm from 1990 to 2013, a role that instilled in him values such as discipline and perseverance. Additional experiences to Mr. Bolsen’s credit include internships with Olson in 2012 and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2011 as well as media relations volunteer posts with the Big Ten Conference men’s basketball tournaments in both years.
Throughout his career, Mr. Bolsen has achieved significant milestones that underscore his expertise. He has raised nine figures of capital over the years to name multiple buildings and led successful projects while running curriculum initiatives. His progression from individually focused roles to management positions allowed him to create new branches within organizations and oversee fundraising management for several colleges within Purdue University—including the College of Education, College of Science, Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, College of Pharmacy and John Martinson Honors College. Mr. Bolsen has proudly closed multiple principal and transformational gifts supporting leadership priority campaigns and projects.
A member of Forbes Business Council since 2025, Mr. Bolsen has previously contributed to NACDA from 2013 to 2015 and Purdue CASE (Council for Advancement and Support Education) from 2015 to 2025. His civic involvement includes volunteering with his local church, an extension of his belief that meaningful contributions extend beyond professional obligations into community life.
Mr. Bolsen attributes much of his success to an unwavering commitment to integrity, a value deeply rooted in his family lineage. He also believes that genuine connections are foundational to professional achievement. The lessons learned throughout his journey emphasize that relational capital is often just as vital as financial or human capital when building lasting success within organizations or with clients.
A high school valedictorian, Mr. Bolsen pursued a formal education at Eureka College, from which he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on sport management and communication and a Bachelor of Arts in business administration in 2013. Competing in NCAA Division III during this time, he subsequently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a master’s degree in recreation, sports and tourism with an emphasis in sport management in 2015. Committed to lifelong learning and broadening his expertise further into financial planning services, Mr. Bolsen is currently completing a certificate program in financial planning and services through Boston University.
Mr. Bolsen’s accomplishments have been celebrated through numerous accolades, including an Almabase’s 50 Under 50 Award from Blackbaud in 2023 and induction into the Lovington High School Athletic Hall of Fame by the Lovington High School Alumni Association in 2016. Additional honors include designation as an Illinois State Scholar and selection as a scholar fellow within the Ronald W. Reagan Leadership Program at Eureka College.
In the immediate future, Mr. Bolsen looks forward to launching several behind-the-scenes projects designed to positively impact philanthropy on both local and national levels through innovative ideation, implementation strategies and measurable outcomes, a vision encapsulated by what he describes as the “3W vector.” At its core lies an unwavering belief that every endeavor begins with meaningful conversation tailored toward achieving impactful results. Ultimately, Mr. Bolsen’s journey demonstrates that true leadership transcends titles; it is defined by character, collaboration and an enduring commitment to making a difference through people-centered initiatives.
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