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Our Platform. Your Cause.

Launch a branded relief fund through HelpLink's fiscal sponsorship programs

Distribution
Fund

Reserve
Fund

Matching
Fund

Collective
Fund

Create a program fund through HelpLink, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to support employees in times of need and invest in your local community. Every contribution is a charitable gift, with impact you can see along the way. Choose the fund type that fits your mission, from flexible support for off-platform needs to hands-off giving that automatically supports posted requests.

The Distribution Fund

Our most popular fund among employers, this program allows you to set your giving preferences once (who to prioritize, what needs/causes to support, how much to give, and when), and HelpLink automatically distributes donations accordingly.

You get clear tracking to the penny plus impact reports, thank-yous, and giving statements, making it high impact with low time spent.

Fund Highlights

  • Low time spend with high impact
  • Fair and equitable giving across staff and community
  • Transparent impact reporting
Distribution Fund — team of workers

The Reserve Fund

A more hands-on "yes fund" for off-platform or unique situations like a wheelchair ramp, an unusual medical bill, or disaster support.

Your company directs where the funds go within the purpose you set when the fund is created, and HelpLink approves and processes distributions to ensure each request aligns with that purpose (and can reimburse eligible expenses).

Fund Highlights

  • Handle exceptions and emergencies quickly
  • Reimburse services rendered by your company (where applicable)
  • Budget giving dollars for the unexpected
Reserve Fund — family support

The Matching Fund

Create match rules based on the causes you care about, such as veterans, specific need types, or a geographic area, and instantly match qualifying donations in the system.

It's a simple way to drive targeted impact, build community goodwill, and power giving campaigns.

Fund Highlights

  • Amplify giving around causes you care about
  • Boost giving participation in philanthropic campaigns
  • Target priority causes and regions you care about most
Matching Fund — community together

The Collective Fund

The ultimate fundraising tool, the collective fund allows you to rally those around you to create special funds for specific needs, areas, or demographics that you care about.

Once set up, the money raised will meet needs that come into the platform and match your preferences within hours of going live. Allowing for quick and dignified support right when someone needs hope and help the most.

Fund Highlights

  • Meet needs within hours of them being posted
  • Invite friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues to give alongside you for causes you care about
  • Receive direct thank-yous for you and anyone who contributes to the fund every time a need is met
Collective Fund — hands together

Did You Know?

42%

of U.S. households can't afford basic necessities

86%

of employees want to be a part of corporate giving

88%

are more likely to purchase from charitable companies

78%

are more likely to work for a charitable company

Ready to launch a program that puts your giving dollars to work? Book a demo and we'll walk you through what HelpLink looks like in practice.

Book a Demo

Current Programs

HelpLink partners with organizations to act as a fiscal sponsor, providing more flexibility to meet more needs.

NAMI Grand Traverse Client Legal Support Fund

The NAMI Grand Traverse Client Legal Support Fund provides critical financial assistance to individuals and families facing legal challenges that directly impact mental health stability and access to care. This fund helps cover essential expenses related to probate matters, custodial arrangements, and guardianship proceedings—areas where legal barriers often place overwhelming emotional and financial strain on those already navigating mental health conditions. By easing the burden of court fees, attorney costs, and required documentation, the fund ensures that clients can seek timely, appropriate legal protection and advocacy. The Client Legal Support Fund reflects NAMI Grand Traverse’s commitment to promoting dignity, safety, and long-term well-being for every individual we serve. Through this resource, families can move forward with clarity and support, knowing they do not have to face complex legal systems alone.

Donate

Comfort Keepers of Greater Cincinnati Community and Staff Fund

At Comfort Keepers of Greater Cincinnati, we know that our caregivers and community are the heart of everything we do. For that reason we are launching the Comfort Keepers Greater Cincinnati Staff and Community Fund to support those in our community in times of need. Whether it's help with essential expenses during a difficult time or bridging a temporary gap, we are here to offer compassionate care not only for our clients, but for those who care for them every day.

Donate

RJG's Matching Fund

This fund matches donations by RJG staff.

Donate

Cherryland Electric Utility Support Fund

Cherryland Electric Cooperative has partnered with HelpLink to provide support for utility arrearages near Traverse City!

Donate

The Power of The Flower Community Fund

The mission of The Flower Station's Community Fund is to be a force for good and giving in the community that we love and call home. We want to empower our neighbors to give alongside us in a way that creates community impact we can all see, one person and one need at a time!

Donate

Cherry Republic Staff Fund

This fund is to support the staff of Cherry Republic

Donate

4Front Forward Fund

Through our partnership with HelpLink, this fund offers a dignified way for people in our communities, and our team members, to get help when life throws a curveball.

Donate

Illuminate My Life Counseling

We believe that all people should have access to mental health when they need it most. We're committed to helping bridge the gap between cost and treatment by helping provide financial assistance as we are able.

Donate

Comfort Keepers Greater Cincinnati Staff Fund

At Comfort Keepers of Greater Cincinnati, we recognize that our caregivers are the heart of everything we do. To support our team beyond the workplace, we are launching the HelpLink Fund—a dedicated assistance program designed to provide short-term support for caregivers facing unexpected or unmet personal needs. Whether it's help with essential expenses during a difficult time or bridging a temporary gap, the HelpLink Fund is here to offer compassionate, confidential support. This initiative is rooted in our commitment to care not only for our clients, but for those who care for them every day.

Donate

Carpet Galleria's Distribution Fund

A Traverse City area charitable distribution fund focused on needs of local individuals.

Donate

NoMi Neighbor Network Reserve Fund

We are an organization that is building community through mutual aid and leadership development.

Donate

Comfort Keepers of Northwest Michigan's Caregiver Fund

At Comfort Keepers of Northwest Michigan, we recognize that our caregivers are the heart of everything we do. To support our team beyond the workplace, we are launching the HelpLink Fund—a dedicated assistance program designed to provide short-term support for caregivers facing unexpected or unmet personal needs. Whether it's help with essential expenses during a difficult time or bridging a temporary gap, the HelpLink Fund is here to offer compassionate, confidential support. This initiative is rooted in our commitment to care not only for our clients, but for those who care for them every day.

Donate

Griefhab's National Grief Awareness Week Event Fund

Griefhab is a nonprofit organization with an entirely new approach to grief and mental health support services. One of our main pillars is getting the invisible awareness days and populations acknowledged. National Grief Awareness Week is just after Thanksgiving, when so many people are struggling through the holiday season. this year marks our 3rd annual Healing Together Through the Holidays Event, in honor of National Grief Awareness Week- and all of the invisibles! Help us make our Traverse City in person event (streaming live virtually everywhere) free to all who need support through the holidays! Learn about ALL different kinds of loss, as well as all the different healing modalities. Experience healing on site with animal therapy, healing through writing, art, energy, and more all week through our interactive workshops. Hear from incredible speakers with tools you can implement today. Connect with community - because healing happens together!

Donate

Wander In Help Fund

Wander In is committed to our staff and community which is why we have launched the Wander In Help Fund. We want to ensure that everyone in our community has someone in their time of need.

Donate

HopCat Employee and Community Fund

This fund helps meet basic needs posted by individuals connected to this organization. Donations are pooled and distributed automatically each month to support real people facing real challenges. Every gift makes a direct, timely impact.

Donate

RJG, Inc. Employee Hardship Fund

At RJG, our core value of "Relationships" guides us to always put our team before ourselves, to take care of each other, our clients, and our community. The RJG Employee Hardship Fund is a reflection of that commitment, as a way for us to rally around employees facing unexpected challenges in times of need. This fund is to ensure that no one has to navigate difficult moments alone.

Donate

Floor Covering Brokers Carpet One's Distribution Fund

A charitable business account that distributes funds to individuals based on needs in the local Traverse City area.

Donate

EPI - The Liner Company Reserve Fund

A fund to help staff needs as well local people in need of help.

Donate

NoMi's Additional Support Fund

This fund will provide additional finanacial support for neighbors in need.

Donate

U.S. Hunger's Better Together Fund

Our goal at U.S. Hunger is to care for our staff in times of temporary crisis and distress by removing barriers that would otherwise affect their health and well being. For this reason we are proud to launch the U.S. Hunger Better Together Fund so that we can make sure our team is happy, healthy, and whole.

Donate

The CHIPS Fund

Great Lakes Potato Chip Company is committed to our CHIPS values: Communication, Holding ourselves accountable, Integrity, People, and Safety. We are launching our HelpLink community fund in order to help us live up to these values by assisting our employees and members of the community in times of need.

Donate

What Our Partners Are Saying

"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

"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

"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.

Program FAQ

Who is eligible to start a HelpLink Program?

Any US-based organization is eligible to start a Distribution Fund, Matching Fund, or Collective Fund. Individuals can also open Matching Funds and Collective Funds. US-based organizations with a US business bank account are eligible to apply for a Reserve Fund. Your charitable initiative should align with HelpLink's mission to support local individuals and communities. While 501(c)(3) status is not required, your program must operate exclusively for charitable purposes.

What types of disbursements are available?

For most funds, HelpLink automatically disburses a portion of your fund to meet needs posted to the platform according to the preferences you set up.

For Reserve Funds, HelpLink allows you to request three types of disbursements: reimbursements for money spent with a valid receipt, payments for services you provided with a valid invoice, and bill payments by HelpLink directly from your program fund.

How does the disbursement process work?

Submit a disbursement request through our software platform with the necessary receipt, invoice, or bill pay information. Once reviewed and approved, HelpLink will disburse the expense from your program's available funds, or pay the creditor directly on your behalf.

Is there an administrative fee for participating programs?

For most funds, there is no fee on contributions.

For Reserve Funds, HelpLink retains a fund stewardship fee of 6% (5% for nonprofits) from all donations to cover costs associated with compliance, reporting, financial administration, payment processing, and platform maintenance.

How do I promote my program to potential donors?

Upon approval, you'll receive a unique URL to your program's donation page. Share this link through your networks, social media, and other channels to encourage support.

What happens to unspent funds if my program ends?

If a program is terminated, any remaining unspent funds will, at HelpLink's discretion, either be granted to a similar 501(c)(3) organization or retained by HelpLink for use in furtherance of its own charitable mission, ensuring alignment with the original donor intent.

How long does the application process take?

For most funds, your fund may be approved and activated within minutes.

For Reserve Funds, after submitting your application, HelpLink will review it and, if approved, schedule an onboarding call. The entire process typically takes a few business days, depending on the completeness of your application.

Can I submit reimbursement requests for expenses incurred before my program was approved?

No, only expenses incurred after your program has been approved and onboarded are eligible for reimbursement.

What about the legal stuff?

All programs opened by organizations must abide by our Fiscal Sponsorship Terms & Conditions.

Individuals can also open Matching Funds and Collective Funds — these are not fiscal sponsorships, so they are governed by our Donor Agreement instead.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

For any inquiries or assistance during the application process, please reach out to us at [email protected].

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