The Book Industry Charitable Foundation

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It began in 1996 when booksellers at Borders Group, Inc. had a vision: to start a nonprofit foundation with the purpose of helping bookstore employees in need. Their wish was to have an ongoing method for booksellers to help each other. From its beginning as the Borders Group Foundation, funding was provided by company executives, individual employee payroll contributions, and donations from publishers and vendors. In 2011, following the liquidation of Borders, the organization was renamed the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation. At this time the scope of the Foundation expanded to assist any qualifying employee of a brick-and-mortar bookstore within the U.S.

Binc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to assisting booksellers in need. The Binc Foundation grew out of a wish of bookstore employees to establish a fund to help their colleagues experiencing unexpected financial crises. Binc is dedicated to assisting bookstore employees across the United States in their greatest time of need.

Binc helps booksellers and comic retailers with unforeseen emergency financial needs. The Foundation assesses each request to determine how best to provide relief to the bookseller. If approved, grants are paid to third-party vendors.

Call 1-866-733-9064 or email [email protected]. Binc staff will be in touch within two business days, and typically less than 24 hours.

Booksellers seeking assistance can also fill out an inquiry form on Binc's website.

Example Qualifying Events

  • domestic violence
  • funeral
  • natural disaster (fire, flood, earthquake, etc.)
  • man-made disaster (blackout, brownout)
  • homelessness and homelessness prevention
  • loss of household income due to emergency child or elder care
  • loss of household income due to death in the family
  • loss of household income due to disability
  • loss of household income due to disruption of business
  • loss of household income due to partner/spouse/household wage earner job loss
  • serious medical expense
  • utility shut-off and utility shut-off prevention
  • other

Not sure if your situation qualifies? Get in touch. 

About ABA

The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.

Contact

PRESS INQUIRIES: [email protected]

INDIECOMMERCE: [email protected]

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: [email protected]

 

 

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