We already donate. How is HelpLink different for retailers?

Most corporate giving goes to an organization and comes back as a line item. HelpLink funds a specific, verified need for a specific person — a car repair, a utility bill, work shoes — and pays the creditor or vendor directly, so the retailer sees what was met, for whom, and where. It also works in the other direction: a company can point its giving at its own frontline employees first, which a general donation can't do.

Keep Shifts Covered and Customers Happy

Clear guardrails. A consistent process. Every location.

Keep Stores
Staffed

Staff First,
Then Community

Every
Location

No Manager
Judgment

Learn More About HelpLink

Your fund can be set up to prioritize staff needs first, then support community needs when and where you choose. Managers spend less time scrambling and are not put in the position of deciding who gets help. Stores stay staffed, and the customer experience stays consistent across locations.

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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?

separations from U.S. retail jobs in a year

75.8%

annual turnover for hourly in-store retail positions

95%

say companies should support their local communities

30%

of employees have under $1,000 in emergency savings

A staffing gap hits the customer experience the same day it happens — lines, stocking, service. If you're ready to remove the barriers that keep frontline teams from showing up, book a demo and we'll walk you through what HelpLink looks like in practice.

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 Retailers Ask

We already donate. How is this different?

Most corporate giving goes to an organization and comes back as a line item. HelpLink funds a specific, verified need for a specific person — a car repair, a utility bill, work shoes — and pays the creditor or vendor directly. You see what was met, for whom, and where. It also works in the other direction: you can point your giving at your own frontline employees first, which a general donation can't do.

Is this hard to roll out across every location?

No. There's one account for the company and one shareable URL, and associates sign up on their own. Nothing has to be installed at the store level, no district manager has to run a program, and there's no per-location configuration to keep in sync. Giving and impact roll up to one dashboard so you can see participation across the whole footprint.

Do store managers have to decide who gets help?

No. HelpLink reviews and sponsors every need against the same criteria, so a store or district manager is never in the position of judging whose hardship qualifies. Requests are private, which also means an associate doesn't have to disclose a personal crisis to the person who writes their schedule.

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 Keep Your Stores Staffed?

HelpLink partners with retailers from single stores to national chains — supporting frontline teams first, then the communities those stores serve.