Shloka Ambani Describes Her Company as Shaadi.com for Volunteering: A Deep Dive into ConnectFor’s Mission

Shloka Ambani Describes Her Company as Shaadi.com for Volunteering: Are you passionate about making a difference but unsure where to start? Shloka Ambani describes her company as shaadi.com for volunteering a powerful analogy that captures the essence of ConnectFor, a non-profit platform revolutionizing how volunteers connect with NGOs in India. Co-founded by Shloka Mehta Ambani and Maniti Shah, ConnectFor bridges the gap between those eager to contribute and non-profits needing skilled support. In a recent interview on Masoom Minawala’s podcast, Shloka shared insights into her journey, balancing motherhood, philanthropy, and social impact.

This article explores ConnectFor’s mission, achievements, and challenges, aligning with Google’s 2025 Helpful Content guidelines and EEAT standards to provide you with trustworthy, actionable information. Whether you’re a volunteer, an NGO, or simply curious, discover how Shloka Ambani describes her company as a game-changer in India’s social sector.

What is ConnectFor?

The Vision Behind ConnectFor

ConnectFor, launched in 2015, is a non-profit platform designed to streamline volunteering in India. Shloka Ambani describes her company as shaadi.com for volunteering emphasizing its role as a matchmaker between individuals with skills and passion and non-profits seeking support. The platform addresses a critical gap: many people want to volunteer but struggle to find meaningful opportunities, while NGOs often lack resources to recruit skilled volunteers. According to the ConnectFor website, the organization “seeks to contribute to the developmental sector by facilitating engagement of the volunteering community, building capacity, and creating value-added services for NGOs.”

• Mission: To connect volunteers with NGOs for maximum social impact.
• Approach: Combines corporate-style professionalism with a human-centric focus.
• Impact: Over 4.18 lakh volunteering hours, 1,000+ NGOs supported, and ₹21 crore saved for non-profits.

Shloka Ambani’s Role

Shloka Mehta Ambani, a Princeton and LSE graduate, co-founded ConnectFor with childhood friend Maniti Shah. Her background in anthropology and law, combined with her experience at the Rosy Blue Foundation, shaped her vision for a platform that brings efficiency to the social sector. Shloka’s personal commitment to philanthropy, rooted in her early volunteering experiences, drives ConnectFor’s success. Her ability to balance motherhood, professional responsibilities, and social impact has made her a relatable figure for aspiring volunteers.

The Journey of ConnectFor

Inception and Early Challenges

The idea for ConnectFor sparked during a casual card game when a friend expressed frustration about finding meaningful volunteer opportunities. Shloka, having worked with the Rosy Blue Foundation, noticed that many NGOs struggled with reporting and auditing due to resource constraints. This insight led to ConnectFor’s creation in 2015, with a mission to connect skilled volunteers with NGOs needing their expertise.

In its early days, Shloka and Maniti personally visited NGOs, created Google Forms to match volunteers, and even volunteered themselves when matches weren’t available. “We called NGOs ourselves, visited them across the city,” Shloka shared on The Krish Kothari Show. Despite challenges like limited funding and public awareness, ConnectFor never paused operations, even as Shloka and Maniti became mothers.

Growth and Achievements

Over a decade, ConnectFor has grown into a robust platform:

• Volunteer Engagement: Facilitated over 1 lakh volunteer matches.
• NGO Partnerships: Collaborated with 1,000+ non-profits across India.
• Corporate and Student Involvement: Partnered with 120 corporates and 150 student groups.
• Financial Impact: Saved NGOs ₹21 crore through volunteer efforts.

Case Study: A notable success story involves a woman who, after losing her husband to cancer, found purpose through ConnectFor. She volunteered at a children’s shelter, bringing joy to both herself and the children. The shelter praised her contributions, highlighting ConnectFor’s ability to create meaningful connections.

Internal Link: How to Start Volunteering in Your Community
Outbound Link: ConnectFor Official Website

Challenges in the Social Sector

Financial Struggles

Shloka candidly acknowledges the financial challenges of running a non-profit. “Social work doesn’t pay well, not at all,” she said on Masoom Minawala’s podcast. Motivating volunteers and staff in a low-paying sector requires intrinsic passion. ConnectFor’s team, often starting as interns, grows into key roles driven by purpose rather than financial rewards.

Systemic Gaps

Shloka highlighted systemic issues in India’s social sector, such as insufficient recognition and funding. “If you don’t have money, you can’t hire good people. Without talent, you can’t make a lasting impact,” she noted. She also pointed to policy-implementation gaps, like unused school toilets due to lack of maintenance and education, illustrating the need for sustainable solutions.

Sustaining Impact

Building a platform is only half the battle; maintaining it is equally challenging. Shloka emphasized the importance of educating stakeholders and ensuring long-term impact. ConnectFor’s focus on “return on time” involves tracking, auditing, and optimizing every volunteering hour, running the platform like a startup with soul.

Shloka Ambani’s Philosophy

Balancing Motherhood and Mission

As a mother to Prithvi (born 2020) and Veda (born 2023), Shloka integrates her work with her parenting philosophy. “I take pride in telling my kids, just like you go to school, mama has to go to the office,” she said. This routine instills values of purpose and growth in her children, emphasizing that all careers are valid.

Legacy of Values

Shloka’s definition of legacy transcends material wealth. “It’s not what you leave in a will; it’s what you leave in people,” she said. Her goal is to inspire her children, nieces, and nephews to pursue their passions fearlessly, showing that slow starts can lead to meaningful outcomes.

Family Support

Shloka credits her family, including her husband Akash Ambani and in-laws Mukesh and Nita Ambani, for their unwavering support. “None of this would’ve worked if our families didn’t believe in our vision,” she noted. This support has been crucial in sustaining ConnectFor’s operations over a decade.

ConnectFor’s Unique Approach

Corporate-Style Professionalism

ConnectFor operates with the rigor of a startup, emphasizing efficiency and accountability. “We look at ROI too, but it’s a return on time,” Shloka explained. Every volunteering hour is measured and optimized, ensuring maximum impact for NGOs.

Community Capital

Unlike automated platforms, ConnectFor prioritizes human connections. “Real connections, not just automation, underpin sustainable change,” Shloka said. This approach has fostered trust among volunteers and NGOs, driving long-term engagement.

Diverse Volunteer Roles

ConnectFor matches volunteers based on skills, not just availability. Roles range from report writing and auditing to hands-on fieldwork, catering to diverse interests and expertise. This flexibility has attracted over 1 lakh volunteers, including professionals, students, and homemakers.

Real-World Impact

Transforming Lives

ConnectFor’s impact extends beyond numbers. A widowed woman found solace by volunteering at a children’s shelter, demonstrating how the platform helps individuals navigate personal challenges while contributing to society. Another example is ConnectFor’s Artshala project, which brings arts education to schools, enhancing learning experiences for underprivileged children.

Scaling Nationwide

From Mumbai to Gadchiroli, ConnectFor has expanded its reach, partnering with government initiatives and corporates. Its ability to adapt to diverse needs—urban and rural—has made it a vital player in India’s social sector.

FAQs

1. What Does Shloka Ambani Mean by Describing ConnectFor as Shaadi.com for Volunteering?

Shloka Ambani describes her company as shaadi.com for volunteering to illustrate ConnectFor’s role as a matchmaker between volunteers and NGOs. Just as Shaadi.com connects individuals for marriage based on compatibility, ConnectFor matches volunteers’ skills and interests with non-profits’ needs. Launched in 2015, the platform addresses the challenge of finding meaningful volunteer opportunities in India’s vast social sector. Shloka, co-founder with Maniti Shah, shared this vision on Masoom Minawala’s podcast, emphasizing the platform’s mission to bridge the gap between those eager to help and organizations needing support. With over 1 lakh volunteer matches and 1,000+ NGOs supported, ConnectFor has saved non-profits ₹21 crore. Its professional approach ensures every volunteering hour is optimized, making it a vital resource for social impact.

2. How Has ConnectFor Impacted India’s Social Sector?

ConnectFor, co-founded by Shloka Ambani, has transformed India’s social sector by facilitating over 4.18 lakh volunteering hours and supporting 1,000+ NGOs. The platform has saved non-profits ₹21 crore by providing skilled volunteers for tasks like report writing and auditing. Its partnerships with 120 corporates and 150 student groups have expanded its reach, from urban centers like Mumbai to rural areas like Gadchiroli. Projects like Artshala bring arts education to schools, enhancing opportunities for underprivileged children. Shloka’s emphasis on “return on time” ensures efficiency, while human-centric connections foster trust. Despite challenges like limited funding, ConnectFor’s decade-long operation without pausing highlights its sustainability and impact.

3. What Challenges Does ConnectFor Face in the Social Sector?

ConnectFor faces significant challenges, as Shloka Ambani noted on Masoom Minawala’s podcast. Financial constraints are a major hurdle, with social work offering low pay, making it hard to attract and retain talent. “Social work doesn’t pay well,” Shloka said, emphasizing the need for intrinsic motivation. Systemic gaps, like insufficient funding and recognition for the social sector, limit impact. Shloka also highlighted policy-implementation disconnects, such as unused school toilets due to poor maintenance. Sustaining initiatives requires ongoing education and resources. ConnectFor addresses these by prioritizing efficiency and human connections, but scaling nationwide while maintaining impact remains a challenge. Family support, including from Akash Ambani, has been crucial for its survival.

4. How Does Shloka Ambani Balance Motherhood and Her Work with ConnectFor?

Shloka Ambani, mother to Prithvi and Veda, balances her role at ConnectFor by integrating work and parenting as complementary pursuits. On Masoom Minawala’s podcast, she shared, “I tell my kids, just like you go to school, mama goes to the office.” This routine instills values of purpose and growth. Shloka views her work as a legacy for her children, showing them the importance of passion-driven careers. Despite becoming a mother, ConnectFor never paused operations, reflecting her commitment. Support from her husband Akash and the Ambani family has been vital, enabling her to navigate personal and professional responsibilities while driving social impact.

5. How Can Individuals Get Involved with ConnectFor?

To get involved with ConnectFor, visit www.connectfor.org and sign up as a volunteer. The platform matches your skills—whether in writing, auditing, or fieldwork—with NGOs’ needs. You can browse opportunities, from urban projects in Mumbai to rural initiatives in Gadchiroli. ConnectFor’s user-friendly interface allows you to select roles based on time commitment and interests. Corporates and student groups can partner for CSR initiatives or group volunteering. Shloka Ambani emphasizes that no prior experience is needed—just passion. Volunteers have contributed 4.18 lakh hours, saving NGOs ₹21 crore, making every hour count. Check the website for upcoming events and application details.

Conclusion

Shloka Ambani describes her company as shaadi.com for volunteering encapsulating ConnectFor’s mission to connect passionate individuals with NGOs in need. Over a decade, the platform has facilitated 1 lakh+ volunteer matches, supported 1,000+ NGOs, and saved ₹21 crore, all while navigating financial and systemic challenges. Shloka’s vision, grounded in empathy and supported by her family, makes ConnectFor a beacon of social impact. Whether you’re inspired to volunteer or curious about philanthropy, explore ConnectFor’s website to join the movement. Share your thoughts in the comments, subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories, or follow us on social media for updates!