HelpLink Fiscal Sponsorship and Fundraising Agreement
Last Modified May 2026
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms" or "Agreement") govern the relationship between HelpLink ("Sponsor"), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and any individual or entity ("Sponsored Program" or "Program") that applies for and participates in a fiscal sponsorship arrangement with HelpLink.
By submitting an application through the HelpLink platform, the Sponsored Program agrees to these Terms. Acceptance of these Terms forms a binding agreement between the Sponsor and the Program.
1. Purpose and Structure of Sponsorship
HelpLink provides fiscal sponsorship to programs that align with its charitable mission. Through this arrangement, HelpLink receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Program and may disburse funds for approved charitable activities.
HelpLink operates under a pre-approved grant relationship model of fiscal sponsorship. Under this model, HelpLink retains full legal and fiduciary control of all contributed funds and disburses them to the Sponsored Program exclusively through approved grants or reimbursements for charitable purposes aligned with HelpLink's mission. Sponsored Programs are not legal projects or affiliates of HelpLink and remain separately operated entities.
This Agreement also governs any fundraising or promotional activities conducted by the Sponsored Program or its business partners in which proceeds or sales percentages are represented as benefiting HelpLink or the Sponsored Program's Fund. Sponsored Program acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement, together with any campaign-specific information submitted through the HelpLink platform, governs all such fundraising and promotional activities and constitutes the written agreement between HelpLink and any participating Commercial Co-Venturer that is required by applicable state charitable solicitation laws.
2. Program Eligibility and Application
Programs must:
(a) Operate exclusively for charitable purposes aligned with HelpLink's mission.
(b) Submit a complete application through HelpLink's online platform.
(c) Agree to these Terms at the time of application.
3. Donations and Tax-Deductibility
All donations received on behalf of a Sponsored Program are contributions to HelpLink and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors will receive receipts from HelpLink. HelpLink retains legal and fiscal control over all contributed funds.
4. Program Funds and Disbursement
HelpLink offers three types of Program Funds under its Fiscal Sponsorship model: Reserve Funds, Distribution Funds, and Matching Funds.
4.1. Reserve Funds
Reserve Funds are held primarily for meeting needs outside of the HelpLink Platform. They are designed to provide flexibility for reimbursements and payments to vendors for approved charitable purposes verified by HelpLink. The options below describe permissible use cases, all of which are subject to HelpLink's sole discretion and approval. Options (c) and (d) are available only as exceptions and are not the intended or recommended use of Reserve Funds.
(a) Reimbursements. Sponsored Programs may submit reimbursement requests through HelpLink's software platform for expenses already incurred. Requests must include appropriate documentation (e.g., receipts, proof of payment) demonstrating that the expenses were made for charitable purposes and are aligned with the approved project scope and HelpLink's charitable mission.
(b) Payment for Services Rendered. If a Sponsored Program delivers goods or services as part of its approved charitable activities, it may submit an invoice to HelpLink for payment. HelpLink may disburse payment directly to the Program's designated business account, provided the services align with the approved program scope and mission and appropriate documentation is submitted.
(c) Direct Payment of Bills (Discouraged Use). Sponsored Programs may request that HelpLink pay vendors or service providers directly from their Reserve Fund; however, this method is not recommended and should be used only when reimbursements are impractical. Requests must include sufficient documentation showing that the payment is for goods or services consistent with the Program's charitable purpose. HelpLink's standard Fulfillment Fee applies when Reserve Funds are used in this manner.
(d) Payment to Posted Needs (Discouraged Use). Sponsored Programs may request a disbursement that applies Reserve Fund balances toward one or more posted needs on the HelpLink Platform. Because Reserve Funds are not designed for on-platform fulfillment, this option is discouraged and may result in the application of the standard Fulfillment Fee to ensure consistent treatment with other posted need transactions. HelpLink recommends using Distribution or Matching Funds for any ongoing or plan-based need fulfillment activity.
In all cases, HelpLink retains sole discretion to approve or deny disbursement requests and may require additional documentation to ensure proper stewardship of funds in compliance with IRS guidelines and applicable laws.
4.2. Distribution Funds
Distribution Funds are designed to support posted needs on the HelpLink platform through automatic, plan-based giving.
(a) Use of Funds. Funds may only be used to meet posted HelpLink needs. No disbursement or reimbursement requests may be submitted for other purposes.
(b) Disbursement. Funds are subject to an automated plan schedule set by the Sponsored Program. HelpLink will periodically disburse a percentage of the fund's available balance or flat amount to eligible needs in accordance with this plan. Funds may also be manually applied to posted HelpLink needs by the Sponsored Program at any time, subject to review and approval by HelpLink.
(c) Fund Management. HelpLink retains full control and discretion over the timing and application of all distributions in accordance with its charitable mission.
(d) Plan Updates and Fund Flexibility. Sponsored Programs may modify their Distribution Plan or preferences at any time to better align with evolving charitable needs. Donors are informed through HelpLink's Donor Agreement that HelpLink retains discretion over all distributions and may apply contributions to comparable or broader charitable purposes if the original plan preferences cannot be met or have been modified. Programs agree that all plan updates must remain consistent with the Program's approved charitable purpose and HelpLink's overall mission, and that HelpLink retains full variance power and fiduciary control over the ultimate use of all funds.
4.3. Matching Funds (Organizational)
Organizations may establish sponsored Matching Funds under their fiscal sponsorship with HelpLink to encourage charitable giving on the HelpLink platform. Sponsored Matching Funds allow HelpLink to apply matching contributions from a designated matching fund pool, in response to eligible donations made on the platform, subject to the organization's stated preferences and HelpLink's charitable mission.
Contributions to a sponsored Matching Fund may be made by the organization, its employees, or other invited contributors. All such contributions are irrevocable charitable gifts to HelpLink and do not confer ownership, control, or donor-advised rights in the Matching Fund.
(a) Fund Management and Discretion. All Matching Funds are held and administered exclusively by HelpLink. While the organization may propose matching preferences or criteria (such as eligible programs, categories, locations, or match ratios), HelpLink retains full discretion and variance power over whether, when, and how matching funds are applied. HelpLink may publicly display the organization's name and matching commitment as part of platform fundraising efforts.
All donations made through the platform, including those eligible for matching, are charitable contributions to HelpLink and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
(b) Matching Plan Updates. Organizations may request updates to matching preferences from time to time. HelpLink may honor such requests at its discretion, provided they remain consistent with the organization's approved charitable purpose and HelpLink's fiduciary obligations. If matching preferences are modified, suspended, or cannot be applied as originally stated, HelpLink may apply matching funds to comparable or broader charitable purposes in furtherance of its mission.
5. Fundraising and Promotional Events
5.1. Fundraising Disclosure Requirement
Sponsored Programs may conduct fundraising activities that benefit their Fund without prior written approval, provided that all promotional materials (including flyers, digital media, event pages, and social posts) prominently include the following disclosure, or substantially similar language approved by HelpLink:
"Donations to support [Program Name] are made to HelpLink (helplink.org), a 501(c)(3) public charity that serves as the fiscal sponsor for this program. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law."
All fundraising communications must:
(a) Clearly indicate that contributions are made to HelpLink for the benefit of the Sponsored Program;
(b) Avoid any implication that the Sponsored Program itself is an independent 501(c)(3) organization; and
(c) Comply with all applicable federal and state charitable-solicitation disclosure laws.
HelpLink reserves the right to require edits, suspend, or prohibit any use of its name, logo, or charitable status in connection with a campaign that is inaccurate, misleading, or inconsistent with HelpLink's policies.
5.2. Commercial Co-Venturer (CCV) Activities and Charitable Sales Promotions
5.2.1 Definition. A "Commercial Co-Venturer Activity" or "Charitable Sales Promotion" means any advertising, marketing, or promotional activity in which a business, vendor, or commercial entity (a "Commercial Co-Venturer" or "CCV") represents to the public — whether through advertising, signage, packaging, websites, mobile applications, social media, email, point-of-sale displays, or any other medium — that the purchase or use of any goods, services, entertainment, or other thing of value will result in a contribution, donation, or transfer of any portion of proceeds, profits, or sales to HelpLink for the benefit of a Sponsored Program. This definition includes, without limitation, "X% of sales benefit [Fund Name]" promotions, fixed-dollar-per-unit promotions, social media free-action campaigns where consumer engagement triggers a donation, point-of-sale round-up campaigns, and any analogous activity that meets the definition of a "commercial co-venture" or "charitable sales promotion" under any applicable state charitable solicitation law.
5.2.2 Scope. This Section 5.2 applies whenever the Sponsored Program itself acts as the Commercial Co-Venturer for its own Fund, when the Sponsored Program partners with a third-party Commercial Co-Venturer, or when any Commercial Co-Venturer otherwise advertises a benefit to a Sponsored Program's Fund.
5.2.3 Master Written Agreement. Sponsored Program acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement, together with the campaign-specific information submitted through the HelpLink platform pursuant to Section 5.2.6, shall constitute the written agreement between HelpLink and the Commercial Co-Venturer required by applicable state charitable solicitation laws. To the extent the Commercial Co-Venturer is a third party that has not separately accepted these Terms, Sponsored Program shall ensure the Commercial Co-Venturer accepts the campaign-specific terms presented at the time of submission, which terms incorporate by reference the relevant provisions of this Agreement.
5.2.4 Compliant Disclosures Required. All advertising, marketing, packaging, signage, websites, social media posts, and any other promotional materials used in connection with a Commercial Co-Venturer Activity must clearly and prominently include all of the following:
(a) The actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit HelpLink for the Fund's benefit, expressed as a fixed dollar amount per unit (e.g., "$1.00 from every product sold") or as a fixed percentage (e.g., "10% of the sale price");
(b) The duration of the campaign, including specific start and end dates;
(c) Any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., "up to a maximum of $5,000" or "with a guaranteed minimum donation of $1,000");
(d) The name "HelpLink" and a statement that HelpLink is a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 81-5466752) serving as the fiscal sponsor for the Sponsored Program; and
(e) Such additional disclosures as may be required by the charitable solicitation laws of any state in which the promotion is conducted or advertised.
Vague terms such as "proceeds," "profits," "net proceeds," "a portion of sales," or similar are expressly prohibited and do not satisfy this requirement. The disclosure must be clear, conspicuous, and proximate to the principal marketing of the campaign.
5.2.5 Compliance with Applicable Laws. The Commercial Co-Venturer represents and warrants that it shall, at its sole cost and expense:
(a) Register, post any required surety bond, and file any required contracts or campaign reports in each U.S. state in which the Commercial Co-Venturer Activity is conducted or advertised;
(b) Comply with all applicable federal and state advertising, consumer protection, and charitable solicitation laws and regulations;
(c) Maintain accurate and complete records of gross sales, units sold, and donation calculations relating to the Commercial Co-Venturer Activity for not less than three (3) years from the conclusion of the campaign, and make such records available to HelpLink upon request; and
(d) Cooperate fully with any inquiry, audit, or examination by HelpLink or by any state or federal regulatory authority concerning the Commercial Co-Venturer Activity.
5.2.6 Campaign Documentation and Remittance. The Commercial Co-Venturer shall:
(a) Where practicable, submit campaign details to HelpLink through the platform prior to the start of the campaign, including the disclosure language to be used, and obtain HelpLink's confirmation that the disclosure language is compliant with this Agreement;
(b) Remit all funds owed to HelpLink for the benefit of the Sponsored Program's Fund within thirty (30) days of the conclusion of the campaign or, in the case of a campaign exceeding ninety (90) days, on a quarterly basis; and
(c) Submit a campaign accounting through the HelpLink platform at the time of remittance, including (i) campaign name and description, (ii) start and end dates, (iii) products or services involved, (iv) geographic scope and states in which the promotion was conducted, (v) pledge type and amount, (vi) gross sales generated, (vii) amount remitted, (viii) any cap or guaranteed minimum, and (ix) the disclosure language actually used in promotional materials.
5.2.7 Reservation of Rights. HelpLink reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to:
(a) Require pre-approval of any disclosure language, advertising material, or campaign structure prior to the campaign going live;
(b) Suspend, prohibit, or require modification of any Commercial Co-Venturer Activity that HelpLink determines to be inaccurate, misleading, non-compliant with this Agreement, or inconsistent with HelpLink's policies or charitable mission;
(c) Refuse to receive, hold, or distribute funds from any Commercial Co-Venturer Activity that has not been documented in compliance with this Section 5.2; and
(d) Disclose the existence of any Commercial Co-Venturer Activity, the participating Commercial Co-Venturer, and the financial outcome of the campaign in HelpLink's IRS Form 990, state charitable registrations, public reports, and similar disclosures.
5.2.8 Indemnification. Sponsored Program and Commercial Co-Venturer (jointly and severally, where they are different parties) shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HelpLink, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, fines, penalties, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or relating to (i) any Commercial Co-Venturer Activity, (ii) any breach of this Section 5.2, (iii) any misrepresentation, deceptive advertising, or non-compliance with applicable law in connection with a Commercial Co-Venturer Activity, or (iv) any failure to register, bond, file, or report as required by applicable state charitable solicitation laws.
5.2.9 Survival. The obligations under Sections 5.2.5(c), 5.2.6, 5.2.7(d), and 5.2.8 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
5.3. Accounting and Compliance
Funds raised through approved events are considered contributions to HelpLink and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Donors and customers will receive receipts only after funds have been remitted to HelpLink. HelpLink retains full discretion and control over all funds received through such events.
5.4. Unremitted or Improperly Managed Funds
If a Sponsored Program or Commercial Co-Venturer fails to remit proceeds within the timeframe required by Section 5.2.6, omits any disclosure required by Section 5.2.4, fails to comply with applicable law as required by Section 5.2.5, or otherwise conducts a campaign inconsistent with this Agreement, HelpLink may issue a compliance notice, suspend or terminate the sponsorship relationship, refuse to recognize received funds as charitable contributions, and, if required by law, report the activity to the appropriate state or federal authorities. Funds shall not be considered charitable contributions to HelpLink unless and until they are received in full.
6. Reporting and Recordkeeping
Programs must:
(a) Maintain accurate financial records;
(b) Submit reports through HelpLink's platform when requested; and
(c) Cooperate with all compliance requests from HelpLink or regulatory authorities.
7. Fees and Administrative Costs
7.1. Reserve Funds
Contributions to Reserve Funds are subject to a Fund Stewardship Fee, retained by HelpLink at the time of contribution as follows:
(a) For registered and verified nonprofit organizations: 3%
(b) For all other organizations: 6%
This fee supports HelpLink's ongoing administrative and compliance obligations associated with maintaining the Reserve Fund, including receipt and documentation review, financial reporting, accounting segregation, payment processing, and platform maintenance. The Fund Stewardship Fee is recognized as earned income when contributions are received and is non-refundable.
Reserve Funds are primarily intended for reimbursements or services payments directly to the organization's bank account for charitable purposes verified by HelpLink. If Reserve Fund balances are later applied to fulfill posted needs through the HelpLink Platform, such disbursements will also be subject to the standard Fulfillment Fee applicable to all need transactions. This ensures consistent treatment of all fulfilled needs and supports the sustainability of HelpLink's operations.
See our Terms of Use and Donor Agreement for more information about our Fulfillment Fee and how it is applied to posted needs on the HelpLink Platform.
7.2. Other Program Funds
No separate fee is charged on contributions to Distribution, Collective, or Matching Funds. These funds are disbursed solely through the HelpLink Platform to fulfill posted needs in accordance with the program plan defined by the Sponsored Program. Each fulfilled need already includes the standard Fulfillment Fee, which covers verification, processing, and delivery costs associated with meeting posted needs.
8. Banking, Interest, and Program Fund Management
Program funds may be held in a centralized pooled bank account managed by HelpLink for administrative efficiency. HelpLink uses internal accounting systems to track the balance and activity of each Sponsored Program individually. Any interest or earnings accrued from holding program funds will be retained by HelpLink to support its general operations, unless otherwise specified in writing. Sponsored Programs acknowledge that they are not entitled to any earned interest.
9. Termination and Remaining Funds
This Agreement may be terminated by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice. Upon termination, all remaining funds will be distributed to another 501(c)(3) organization aligned with the charitable purpose of the program, or retained by HelpLink to be used in furtherance of its tax-exempt mission, at HelpLink's sole discretion and in accordance with applicable law.
10. OFAC Compliance
The Sponsored Program represents and warrants that neither it nor any of its directors, officers, employees, or affiliates is a person or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by persons or entities that are:
(a) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by OFAC or any other relevant sanctions authority; or
(b) located, organized, or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of comprehensive sanctions.
The Sponsored Program agrees to comply with all applicable sanctions laws and regulations and shall not engage in any transactions that would cause HelpLink to be in violation of such laws and regulations.
11. No Employment or Legal Partnership
Nothing in these Terms shall be interpreted to create an employer-employee, partnership, or agency relationship between HelpLink and the Sponsored Program.
12. Modifications
HelpLink reserves the right to update or modify these Terms at any time. Continued participation after notice of changes constitutes agreement to the updated Terms.
13. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.
14. Contact Information
For questions or concerns about this Agreement, please contact us at [email protected]