During my summer internship at Grapevine, I focused on addressing thirteen strategic questions. These questions aligned with Grapevine's mission of uniting like-minded individuals to contribute to common causes. They aimed to enhance the giving circle movement, either by expanding existing groups or forming new ones.

One significant question I explored was \"What new experiments should be running to unlock our next stage of growth?\". This allowed me to think creatively and strategically, emphasizing Grapevine's willingness to experiment and learn from failures. I actively contributed by developing experiments, creating project plans, and implementing specific tracking methods. The team invited me to weekly meetings where we would discuss progress across all experiments and I could share progress on the experiments I was spearheading. Witnessing the progress of these experiments throughout the summer made this project particularly impactful.

Some of the other key questions I explored were “What are the next 500 circles we should launch?” where I used data on existing circles, desk research, stakeholder interviews, and creative brainstorming to develop the prioritized list of new circles to launch. Another example of a question I tackled was “Should we continue doing office hours?” where I analyzed at office hour data and suggested improvements.

Columbia Business School's curriculum equipped me with the essential knowledge required to effectively tackle the projects assigned during my internship. Drawing from the lessons learned in courses such as Strategy Formulation, I applied concepts like direct and indirect network effects and strategic tradeoffs to address various questions. Additionally, my understanding of the customer lifetime value formula, acquired in my Marketing core class, proved invaluable when analyzing ongoing advertising strategies throughout the summer.

Furthermore, the brainstorming techniques I gained from the Foundations of Innovation class played a pivotal role in guiding my decision-making process when selecting experiments for Grapevine's growth initiatives.

Throughout the summer, I encountered several challenges that enriched my learning experience. A notable hurdle was the scarcity of readily available data due to Grapevine's niche focus. This compelled me to employ creative thinking and devise alternative approaches to address data-related issues, enhancing my problem-solving skills.

Another significant challenge was my unfamiliarity with various systems like Metabase, Amplitude, and Hubspot, which were integral to our operations. The Grapevine team provided unwavering support and patience, guiding me through the learning process and getting me acquainted with these systems. While becoming proficient in all of these systems in a short period of time presented its share of difficulties, the rewards were substantial, particularly when I could leverage the data within them to uncover insights.

Throughout this experience, I acquired proficiency in various new tools and systems, including Amplitude, Metabase, Hubspot, Asana, and Loom. These skills were essential to my project success, and I'll continue to use them at Columbia Business School and in my professional journey. For the new reports I created, I created instructional Loom videos and left them with the Grapevine team so that anyone on the team can generate these reports.

My most significant takeaway was recognizing the ongoing necessity for innovation and creativity within the nonprofit and startup sectors. I gained a profound understanding of the pivotal role experimentation plays in driving Grapevine's growth and honed my abilities in devising, implementing, and monitoring experiments.

Another valuable takeaway underscored for me this summer was the critical importance of diversity in fostering team growth. The Grapevine team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds and various countries, a factor I believe to be instrumental in its success.

Lastly, I'm deeply impressed by Grapevine's value to its members and the nonprofit ecosystem. The organization fosters meaningful connections while supporting charitable causes, directing millions of dollars to nonprofits. I plan to maintain my connection with Grapevine by starting my own Grapevine one day.