What reporting and guardrails does HelpLink provide?

HelpLink is a 501(c)(3) and reviews and sponsors every need before it is published, so nothing is funded that hasn't been vetted. Funds are never handed out as cash — HelpLink pays the creditor or purchases the item directly. Partners get a live dashboard of giving and participation, automatic receipts, end-of-year aggregated statements, and the firsthand impact stories behind the needs their fund met.

Support Your Team and Your Town

Q: Does giving through HelpLink count toward CRA obligations?

That's a determination for the bank's compliance team and its examiners, not something HelpLink asserts. HelpLink provides the underlying documentation — what was funded, the type of need, the amount, and the community it was met in, exported for the bank's records — so a CRA officer can assess how it fits their program.

Staff support and community giving, all in one.

Community
Goodwill

Tracking &
Impact Stories

Support
Staff

Easy to
Participate

Learn More About HelpLink

Launching a HelpLink staff and community fund lets you meet essential needs for employees and neighbors, while inviting customers to give alongside you. Whether you have one branch or hundreds, your fund helps local needs across every community you serve — with a record of exactly what was met and where.

Download More Info Book a Demo

How It Works

Ask

An individual posts for help on the platform.

Verify

HelpLink vets and publishes the need.

Fund

Businesses and community donate.

Fulfill

The need is fulfilled directly through HelpLink — no cash ever.

Report

Reporting and a thank you go back to donors.

More Impact. Less Time Spent.

Plan

Create a giving plan by choosing who and what causes you want to support to ensure your giving stays on track.

Automate

Set up an automatic pledge with exactly how much you want to donate each month so that you can stay on budget.

Track

Track your company's giving in real time and enjoy easy end-of-year tax reporting with aggregated statements.

Support

Our "employee first" feature lets you allocate your funds to automatically prioritize staff needs on the platform to get help first.

Match

Invest in what your employees and customers care about by setting up automatic employee and customer donation matches.

Connect

Show your community you care and increase brand trust and recognition through transparent giving where you do business.

Did You Know?

37%

couldn't cover a $400 emergency with cash or its equivalent

$138B

in CRA community development loans reported by banks

78%

of employees trust their employer — the most trusted institution

75%

say banks are a source of economic strength

Community giving is easy to fund and hard to show. HelpLink turns it into a record of specific needs met for specific people in the markets you serve — and does the same for your own staff. Book a demo and we'll walk you through what that reporting looks like.

Book a Demo

Get Started in Under 10 Minutes

Create an Account

Set Up Your Pledge

Choose a monthly amount to donate to the specific needs your company cares about.

Set Up Your Match

Choose an amount per teammate to match up to a monthly maximum budget and automate your payments.

Apply for a Program

Create a fund where you can meet the needs of your staff, customers, and community with more flexibility by partnering with HelpLink as your fiscal sponsor.

Share the Love

Share your custom URL with your employees so they can sign up and create their own pledges.

Review and Report

View a live dashboard on your engagement and receive automatic receipts and statements of giving for your company.

Top Corporate Partners.

Proudly partnering with organizations making a difference.

Q100 Michigan Blarney Stone Broadcasting, Inc.

What Our Partners Are Saying

"Partnering with HelpLink to support our team members in need is something we’re truly proud of. HelpLink makes it easier for people to get help without shame or barriers — especially when pride or embarrassment might otherwise keep them from reaching out. This resource is meaningful, dignified, and deeply needed."

— Marilee Kartje, HR Coordinator, Kilwins

"At 4Front Credit Union, we believe strong communities are built when neighbors support each other. That’s why we proudly sponsor HelpLink; partnering with an organization that shares our values of inclusion, dignity, and financial well‑being allows us to make a real, measurable impact in our community. Together, we’re helping ensure no one faces life’s challenges alone."

— Meghan, Senior Community Relations Specialist, 4Front Credit Union

"At U.S. Hunger, we believe in protecting and supporting our most valuable asset—our people. Partnering with HelpLink was a natural choice because our values are so closely aligned. The setup process was seamless and informative, with expert guidance provided every step of the way. We are incredibly excited about this initiative and the positive impact it will have on our team."

— Yolanda, VP of People & Culture, U.S. Hunger

"Perhaps most impactful has been hearing directly from recipients. One message we received from a HelpLink requester expressed deep gratitude for the assistance and shared that the support had eased a difficult year and made a real difference for her family. Notes like these reflect exactly why we were so drawn to the platform."

— Lawrence, Owner, LaSusa Law Offices, PLC

"I'm so grateful HelpLink exists! We can't/don't offer health care, dental, optical but this allows us to offer help right now, when our employee needs it most!"

— Pearl, Owner, Operator, Old Mission Bakery

"Plascon Inc. partnered up with Helplink this year and we are so happy we did! The partnership we have created with Helplink shows our most important assets (our employees) the culture of giving within the organization and community. I love how easy the set-up process was, very quick and painless."

— Elaine, Human Resources Manager, Plascon Inc.

"We're proud to be part of this vital support system that helps ensure no one in our community goes without essential services when they need them most."

— Sara, Human Resources, Cherry Republic

"We owe our success to our incredible staff, taking care of them is our top priority. HelpLink is a natural fit to strengthen our corporate giving strategy."

— Jeannette, Human Resources, RJG, Inc.

"I love knowing that the company I work for cares enough about my needs to offer something like this. I don’t know if I will even need it one day since I am well paid, but I can think of times in my life that I have before and I think it’s incredible that my coworkers and I are covered just in case."

— Employee, RJG, Inc.

Questions Banks and Credit Unions Ask

We already give. Why try something new?

Most community giving is funded easily and reported vaguely — a sponsorship, a check, a line item. HelpLink funds a specific, verified need for a specific person and pays the creditor or vendor directly, so what comes back is a record of what was met and where. It also covers ground a general donation can't: the same fund can prioritize your own employees, so your community program and your staff support are one program instead of two.

What reporting and guardrails come with it?

HelpLink is a 501(c)(3) and reviews and sponsors every need before it is published, so nothing is funded that hasn't been vetted. Funds are never handed out as cash — HelpLink pays the creditor or purchases the item directly. You get a live dashboard of your giving and participation, automatic receipts, and end-of-year aggregated statements, plus the firsthand impact stories behind the needs your fund met.

Does giving through HelpLink count toward our CRA obligations?

That's a determination for your compliance team and your examiners, not something HelpLink asserts. What we can provide is the underlying documentation: what was funded, the type of need, the amount, and the community it was met in, exported for your records. Bring that to your CRA officer and let them assess how it fits your program.

How much does HelpLink cost?

HelpLink's corporate giving tool is free to use. Businesses choose their own monthly pledge amount and match budget. There are no setup costs or subscription fees, and HelpLink covers all payment processing fees. For businesses that open a Reserve Fund program, a 6% fund stewardship fee applies to donations into that fund to cover compliance, reporting, and administration.

Ready to Show Up for Your Community?

HelpLink partners with banks and credit unions to support their teams and the towns they serve — with verified needs, direct fulfillment, and reporting you can hand to your board.