New GuilfordVolunteers.org Portal Makes It Easier for People to Give Back in Guilford

Want to give back to the Guilford community but not sure where to start? The Guilford Foundation (TGF) is making it easier.

The Foundation launched GuilfordVolunteers.org, a free online volunteer-matching platform that connects people who want to help with local nonprofit organizations that need them. Residents can search for opportunities based on their interests, skills, and availability, whether they want an ongoing commitment, a one-time event, or simply a few hours to lend a hand.

The idea grew naturally from The Guilford Foundation’s work with nonprofit organizations throughout the community. Through its grantmaking and other initiatives, the Foundation regularly hears about the challenges nonprofits face, and finding volunteers is a recurring need.

“Our role has always been about connecting people who care with causes that matter, and Guilford Volunteers brings that idea to life in a very practical way,” said Liza Janssen Petra, Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation. “We know there are so many people in Guilford who want to get involved, but they may not know where they are needed or how to begin. At the same time, our nonprofits rely on volunteers to carry out their missions. We saw an opportunity to make that connection much easier.”

Building Upon a Successful Model
TGF did not have to look far for inspiration. The Branford Community Foundation launched BranfordVolunteers.org in 2024 to address the same challenge. The platform began with 38 organizations and has since grown to nearly 60, generating approximately 700 volunteer connections in its first year.

Seeing its success firsthand gave The Guilford Foundation both a model and a roadmap; TGF worked with its Branford counterpart and the developers behind the original platform to adapt the concept for Guilford. The Foundation then began reaching out to its extensive network of nonprofit partners, starting with organizations that serve both Branford and Guilford and expanding to Guilford-serving nonprofits.

For organizations already participating in Branford Volunteers, the two platforms have been configured to make participation particularly easy. Those nonprofits can maintain their information and volunteer opportunities in one place and have them appear on both sites.

TGF staff and student interns are working directly with nonprofit partners to create profiles, post volunteer roles, and add upcoming opportunities so residents can visit the site and find an active community resource from the moment the site went live.

One Place to Find a Way to Help
GuilfordVolunteers.org is designed to be simple. Residents do not need to create an account or register with the site. They can browse organizations, search by keyword or category, explore ongoing volunteer roles, and view upcoming events. Once they find something that interests them, they connect directly with the nonprofit organization.

Opportunities can range from helping at a community event or food pantry to mentoring a student, working outdoors, sharing professional expertise, or serving on a nonprofit board. The platform offers flexibility, with searchable opportunities spanning food insecurity, education, family services, the environment, seniors, health and wellness, children and youth, arts and culture, and more.

The goal is to make volunteering easy for people with very different schedules and interests.

“You don’t necessarily have to make a year-long commitment,” Petra said. “Maybe you have a Saturday morning available. Maybe you have professional skills a nonprofit could really use. Or maybe you are retired and looking for a meaningful way to become more involved in the community. We want GuilfordVolunteers.org to be the place you think to look.”

Strengthening a Community Built on Volunteers
First Selectman Matt Hoey said the platform builds on Guilford’s long tradition of residents giving their time and talents to the community.

“So much of what makes Guilford special is driven by people who are willing to get involved, from our nonprofit organizations and community events to the many programs that serve our residents. GuilfordVolunteers.org gives people a simple way to see where help is needed and find an opportunity that works for them. I think it will be a tremendous resource for both our residents and the organizations that do so much for our town.”

For nonprofits, the platform offers something equally valuable: a central place to make their volunteer needs visible beyond their existing networks.

Christi Burton, Executive Director of Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV), which operates programs including Charlie’s Closet, Meals on Wheels, Friendly Visiting, Chloe’s Closet and Guilford Food Bank, believes the platform will help broaden awareness of local volunteer opportunities.

“One of the biggest challenges for nonprofits is reaching people beyond those who already know us. People in the community genuinely want to help, but they aren’t necessarily following our emails or social media. Having one place where someone can go specifically because they are looking for a volunteer opportunity gives us another way to reach them. We’re excited that Guilford residents will now have that same resource.”

Find Your Way to Help
GuilfordVolunteers.org launches with a growing roster of organizations and volunteer opportunities, with more being added daily. Residents can visit the platform and begin searching immediately. Nonprofit and town-based organizations serving Guilford that use volunteers can also apply to be included on the platform.

The site is free for both volunteers and participating organizations, with no advertising and no listing fee.

“Ultimately, we want this to become a habit,” Petra added. “When someone says, ‘I’d like to get more involved in Guilford,’ we want the answer to be, ‘Go to GuilfordVolunteers.org.’ And when a nonprofit needs volunteers, we want them to know there is a community of people ready to help.”

To learn more about the new volunteer-matching platform, visit GuilfordVolunteers.org.