The Godofredo Garabito y Gregorio Foundation is an institution that works to promote Spanish culture and young talent. It is currently expanding its cause and mission not only in Spain but also cross-border (e.g., Mexico). I helped the leadership team speed the expansion process and raise new funds.

At the beginning of the summer, I drafted an executive pitch that currently allows the foundation to raise new funds to continue to support its cause. Once the presentation was ready, I defined a fundraising roadshow across companies in Spain leveraging my previous experiences and my network. I was able to secure new sponsorships and donors to finance and subsidize the sponsorships, events, and activities of the foundation.

Moreover, I assisted the planning, organization, and execution of the foundation’s events throughout the summer cycle. I supported the organization with their most important summer event, the concert of Hombres G, one of the most famous rock bands in Spain. The band played at the Madison Square Garden on June 17 and at the foundation headquarters on September 4.

Finally, I also ran brainstorming sessions and suggested innovative ideas to ensure the long-term sustainability of the foundation. As an example, I suggested creating two NFTs in recognition of Hombres G's musical career. These two NFTs were auctioned by the foundation for a few thousand euros. This auction not only helped the foundation raise some money, but also kicked off the foundation’s work in the digital art space.

I was able to put into practice all that I learnt throughout my first MBA year, together with my previous consulting experiences. One of my main objectives was to draft an executive pitch that allowed the foundation to raise funds to continue to support its cause. To do so, I leveraged my finance and economics knowledge. Moreover, I was responsible for launching a fundraising roadshow across companies in Spain, leveraging my previous contacts and experiences. I capitalized on my leadership and communication skills and took advantage of my priceless network. Furthermore, I applied some of the concepts I learnt in the Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Digital Tokens Demystified course to suggest that the foundation create and auction of two NFTs.

Moreover, this fellowship helped me to develop new skills, capabilities, and knowledge. I believe that I now have a larger and more rounded professional toolkit. This placement pushed me out of my comfort zone and broadened my knowledge.

As a former consultant, I have never ventured. During my fellowship, I tested myself running other activities, such as engaging with donors and sponsors and fundraising. This was particularly complicated for me, as it was the first time I was approaching companies and past clients requesting funds for a social cause.

Moreover, I connected with my network on other relevant topics such as, social, cultural, and philanthropic matters. I presented the foundation's short- and medium-term plan to past clients. In a few weeks I become a foundation ambassador. Suddenly, I was presenting the foundation commitments regarding the promotion of Spanish culture through concerts, poetry recitals, book publishing, congresses, conferences, cultural meetings, historical routes, production of audiovisual content, and the sponsorships of students and artists.

Another big challenge was explaining digital art, i.e., NFTs to the Godofredo Garabito y Gregorio Foundation’s board of trustees. I designed a very simple and easy-to-follow presentation around NFTs that required further independent study as my knowledge was limited to what I learnt during the Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies and Digital Tokens Demystified course.

I found my work for the foundation extremely rewarding. This experience not only helped me accomplish some of my career goals and MBA objectives but also was an opportunity to grow as a person and give back to society.

One of my main objectives before starting this placement was to become an ambassador for the foundation. In this regard, I am happy to share that I have become the foundation’s strategy director. I am very much looking forward to continuing to make lasting contributions to the foundation by bringing new sponsorships and donors and by helping in future fundraising. Furthermore, I will promote foundation events and activities and attend them when possible.

Finally, I believe that the topics I dealt at the foundation are tremendously relevant for other colleagues at CBS. I look forward to engaging with my classmates in long and interesting conversations about my placement! I am certain that my summer experiences and learnings will be also relevant and an inspiration for other CBS students.