What the Fundraising 270: The Cost of Standing Still: Rethinking Change in the Nonprofit World with Andrew Olsen
In this episode of What the Fundraising…
Change is the hardest thing to sustain but the most important thing in the nonprofit sector. Most of the time, leaders in nonprofit find themselves stuck between knowing what needs to evolve and struggling to make it happen. From outdated systems and burnout to scarcity mindset and fear of failure, the barriers to change are deeply human and structural. This conversation examines why good intentions aren’t enough, how leadership habits can either stall or spark transformation, and what it takes to combine mission, money, and mindset for lasting impact.
Our guest today is Andrew Olsen, the Executive Vice President of Fundraising Solutions at DickersonBakker. He helps organizations strengthen their fundraising and impact with the knowledge he’s got from over 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and consulting. He lives with his family on a small farm in Knoxville, Tennessee. He joined us today to talk about the challenges and solutions for change in the nonprofit sector.
In this episode, you will be able to:
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Recognize the common barriers that keep nonprofits from turning awareness into real change.
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Learn how leadership habits, culture, and burnout shape an organization’s ability to evolve.
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Learn how undervaluing time and avoiding financial discomfort can quietly erode impact.
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Discover small but strategic steps to align vision, structure, and budget for sustainable growth.
Get all the resources from today’s episode here.
Support for this show is brought to you by Practivated. Practivated delivers AI-powered donor conversation simulations that let fundraisers practice in a private, judgment‑free space—building confidence, refining messaging, and improving outcomes before the real conversation even begins. Developed by fundraising experts with real‑time coaching at its core, it’s the smart way to walk into every donor interaction calm, prepared, and ready to connect. Learn more at practivated.com
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If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point.