Branford Rotarians Launch Volunteer Site Connecting Community & Causes

Branford Rotary Leaders Create Innovative Volunteer Site, BranfordVolunteers.org

Branford is taking community engagement to the next level with the launch of BranfordVolunteers.org, a groundbreaking platform designed to connect local nonprofits with volunteers eager to give back. The brainchild of Branford Rotary leaders Andy Marlett and Ellen Carucci, the website has been hailed as a "dating app for volunteers," revolutionizing how community members and organizations find and work with each other.

A Vision Rooted in Community

The idea for BranfordVolunteers.org emerged from a shared frustration: residents often wanted to volunteer but didn’t know where to start. With over 60 nonprofits in Branford, the process of connecting volunteers with organizations could feel daunting. Marlatt and Carucci envisioned a centralized, user-friendly platform where nonprofits could list their opportunities and volunteers could find matches based on their schedules and interests.

Liza Jansen Petra, Executive Director of the Branford Community Foundation, shared during a recent interview, “This site is all about bringing the community together, hyper-focused on helping people locally. Whether it’s assisting a neighbor or joining the Branford Garden Club, this platform makes giving back accessible and impactful.”

How It Works

Volunteers and nonprofits alike can create profiles on BranfordVolunteers.org. Volunteers browse opportunities based on their interests—whether it’s working with animals, supporting environmental initiatives, or helping youth—and connect directly with nonprofits to get started. The website has already onboarded 40 local organizations, including:

• Branford Garden Club
• Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation
• Feed Branford Kids
• Branford Land Trust
• Compassion Club

Petra highlighted the platform's accessibility: “It’s free for both organizations and volunteers. Nonprofits only need to upload their opportunities, and volunteers take it from there. We’ve removed as many barriers as possible.”

Early Success Stories

The platform’s impact is already evident. Petra shared an inspiring story of a local high school student passionate about gardening who connected with the Branford Garden Club through the site. “She’s now volunteering with them and plans to dedicate her life to gardens and gardening. That’s the kind of ripple effect we’re seeing already,” said Petra.

Another success story involves the Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation, which found volunteers for their annual breakfast event celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. These connections not only support nonprofit missions but also build meaningful relationships across the community.

A Model for Expansion

Branford is the first town in Connecticut to implement such a platform, but the potential for expansion is immense. “This concept could easily work in towns like New Haven or Hartford,” said Petra. “It’s about tapping into the desire to give back and providing a simple, effective way for people to connect.”

To promote the initiative, Branford has installed street signs across the town encouraging residents to visit the site. The community is hopeful that BranfordVolunteers.org will serve as a model for other towns to replicate.

Looking Ahead

BranfordVolunteers.org represents the best of what community innovation can achieve—uniting people for a common good. With its intuitive design and already proven track record, this platform is poised to create lasting change, one volunteer connection at a time.

For more information, visit BranfordVolunteers.org or check out the full interview on WTNH.com.