Inspiring Conversations with Abagail of HelpLink

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abagail.

Hi Abagail, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey started with the simple idea that people genuinely want to help one another, but often don’t know how. In 2017, I founded Spark in the Dark, a grassroots online community where people could ask for help and others could respond directly. What began as a small Facebook group in Northern Michigan quickly grew into 5 groups across the state composed of more than 32,000 members. Combined, the groups have met over 100,000 needs and continue to meet about 15,000 more each year. Everything from groceries and clothing to transportation and housing support have been met by people helping people in communities across Michigan.

Over time, I started noticing a trend: a large percentage of the requests, about 30% were starting with — “I need to find work,” “I need to get to work,” or “I need to keep my job,” and here’s the reason I can’t (insert need). People weren’t just struggling at home. they were struggling to get to work, stay at work, or make ends meet because of small but critical barriers like car repairs, past due utilities, or even a full tank of gas. That realization led to the creation of HelpLink in 2023, a nonprofit platform that connects companies and communities to meet those needs directly.

Today, HelpLink partners with companies across the country to turn their charitable giving into direct, measurable impact for both employees and the communities they serve. Our platform streamlines the process of helping employees and neighbors in need —verifying requests, matching resources, and tracking results— while protecting privacy and preserving dignity. The result is faster help, stronger culture, and measurable ROI on the impact of corporate giving.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth but I’ve learned that meaningful work rarely is. Building first Spark in the Dark, and then HelpLink, meant stepping into uncharted territory: merging technology, philanthropy, and workforce support into one seamless system. We faced every challenge imaginable, from developing tech that could balance efficiency with empathy, to earning the trust of companies willing to rethink how they give. There were times it felt like pushing a boulder uphill (and still does some days) proving our model can work at scale while staying true to our mission of keeping giving human.

From a personal level, I have walked through several of my hardest seasons over the last 9 years while leading the growing organization helping thousands of people. I remember one year in particular where it seemed like if it could go wrong, it would. From an unexpected divorced, to breaking my foot (as a single parent of 2), to finding myself standing in a flooded basement with only a few hundred dollars to my name to fix it… I spent most of that year unsure how I’d make it through another day. That experience was humbling, and an important reminder that anyone can find themselves in need very quickly and that dignity, compassion, and community aren’t luxuries —they’re lifelines.

Those moments of struggle, both personal and professional, became the foundation for HelpLink. They taught me that the strongest systems are built from empathy, and that real innovation comes from understanding the human stories behind the data.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
HelpLink is a nonprofit platform that helps companies turn their charitable giving into direct, measurable impact by starting with the people closest to them: their employees and local communities. We make it possible for businesses to use their philanthropic dollars to meet real needs like car repairs, housing support, or past-due bills in minutes, not weeks.

What makes us different is how we bridge technology and humanity. Traditional charitable systems are often slow, complicated, and centered around gatekeeping. HelpLink replaces that with trust, transparency, and dignity. Our software verifies needs, connects resources, and shows companies the exact impact their dollars make, all while protecting the privacy of the people being helped.

We specialize in connecting the dots between workforce support and community giving. When employees feel cared for, they stay longer, work better, and help strengthen the company’s culture. When companies invest in their community, they build loyalty that no marketing campaign can buy. HelpLink gives them a tool to do both.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the trust we’ve built —from the people who ask for help to the companies that give it. Every part of HelpLink is designed to protect dignity, remove barriers, and prove that kindness and strategy can coexist. We’re redefining what it means to give by creating a system that’s faster, smarter, and deeply human.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think we’re standing at a major turning point in how businesses think about giving and care. For decades, corporate philanthropy has focused outward… donations to causes, sponsorships, or one-time events that look good on paper but don’t always translate to meaningful, lasting impact. What we’re seeing now, and what I believe will define the next decade, is a shift inward: companies realizing that the health of their workforce and the health of their community are deeply connected.

Employees want to work for organizations that live their values, not just post about them. I think because of that we’ll see more companies blending their HR, CSR, and community engagement strategies into one holistic approach in coming years. The most successful brands will be the ones that use philanthropy not as a PR tool, but as a culture strategy that builds retention, reputation, and loyalty from both staff and customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://helplink.org/businesses
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/helplinkorg