When we talk about social work, most people think of old-fashioned NGOs, collecting donations, or helping out when they have time. But Shloka Ambani and her co-founder, Maniti Shah, have completely changed this perception. Their initiative, ConnectFor, has made social service professional and scalable.
Recently, Shloka appeared on ‘The Masoom Minawala Show’ and shared the fascinating story of this journey. She explained how they laid the foundation for this venture, the challenges they faced, and why volunteer work can now be seen as a career.
From Corporate to Social Service, but with the Same Professional Style
Shloka Ambani studied at Princeton University and the London School of Economics. Thus, it was expected that she would work in a high position in a large corporate company. But she left the corporate world to choose social service—that too, in a different way.
ConnectFor started with a simple idea: Why not create a platform to connect volunteers with NGOs that is reliable, provides the right matching, and is easy for both?
Gradually, this idea transformed into a robust system. Today, ConnectFor has facilitated more than one lakh volunteer-matches and has supported over 1000 NGOs. It has generated approximately ₹21 crore in value—without any funding, solely through people's time and skills.
Not Tech, but Trust is the Real Data
While every startup nowadays talks about automation and technology, ConnectFor has taken a different path. Shloka says, "From the beginning, we have valued people and relationships. Technology is just a means, the real power lies in the community."
ConnectFor's system is not limited to simply sending volunteers after filling out an online form. It creates a synergy between both—the volunteer and the NGO—that benefits both. For example, if an NGO needs help with social media management and a volunteer is an expert in that field, they are connected.
In other words, the work here is not just about "helping," but about delivering help “in the right way and in the right place.”
'Work and Inspire Children Too' — A New Perspective on Modern Motherhood
Another interesting point came up on the show when Shloka shared her personal life. She explained how she not only wants to give her children time but also wants to provide them with "intentional modeling."
This means—showing children that their mother works for society, follows her passion, and stands by her values. Shloka says, "If my children can understand that doing something for someone can also be a career option, that will be my greatest achievement."
In today's era, when parenting is only associated with time management, Shloka's perspective is refreshing.
Why is ConnectFor Special?
- Emotion with Scalability: ConnectFor values data and scalability, but humanity is ingrained in every aspect of it.
- Professional Matching: NGOs get volunteers according to their needs, and volunteers also get a platform where their skills are used effectively.
- Community Building: ConnectFor is like a network, where people not only serve but also learn from each other.
- No Cost, High Impact: This platform has created crores of value without any funding, which is a precedent in itself.
Making Social Service a Part of Career
ConnectFor's goal is not just to promote volunteerism. Its real vision is—to promote the idea in society that helping someone or working for society can also be a full-time, serious career.
Shloka and Maniti believe that the time has come when young people should be told that the "impact sector" is not a secondary option. There is professional growth, skill development, and life satisfaction in it.
