North American Comic Shops Can Now Apply for Grants
GIVE COMICS HOPE, the charitable initiative which began its fundraising efforts this past fall, today announces the application period will open March 1 and close on March 15 with funds distributed in April. The initiative was created and spearheaded by comic book industry veteran Bill Schanes and designed for all members of our community to rally together to provide vital aid to comic book shops, the heart and roots of our vibrant comic book community.
GIVE COMICS HOPE Founder and longtime friend of the comics industry Bill Schanes says “Many specialty retailers have struggled during these exceptionally challenging times. While comic book shops have not only persevered, but in some cases thrived during this past year, we set out to raise awareness in the ongoing need to support our friends in retail, and were pleased we were able to do our part for those in need and shine a light on our industry at large.”
GIVE COMICS HOPE’s charitable efforts have been focused on two auctions and other fundraisers designed to raise the funds to be distributed to comic book stores in early 2021. With the new application dates, this also gives everyone the opportunity to make a cash donation to GIVE COMICS HOPE via https://secure.donationpay.org/bincfoundation/gch.php. The final total raised by GIVE COMICS HOPE is still being tabulated as the results from the various fundraisers are still coming in. Depending on how many stores apply and the final amount raised we anticipate the grants will range from $75-$200.
The organization owes a great debt to the support of Binc, Heritage Auctions, Jesse James Comics/Comic Book Shopping Network, as well as the creators, publishers, and comic book shops including Golden Apple Comics, Coliseum of Comics and Wonderworld Comics, who contributed to making this effort such an inspired success. Their contributions are a testament to the vibrancy of this industry and the people who continue to shape it.
GIVE COMICS HOPE has partnered with the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to assisting comic retailers and booksellers, to oversee the management and disbursement of the funds raised by GIVE COMICS HOPE. The initiative will take no organizational fees, and will only deduct any actual, direct costs incurred from the funds raised. Binc will not take any organizational fees from the Give Comics Hope initiative and will cover all direct expenses the Foundation incurs. Since its inception, Binc has provided over $9 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 9000+ families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services comes from all sectors of the book and comic industries. The Foundation was imagined and built by booksellers and proudly continues to be the safety net for booksellers and comic retailers by supporting employees and their families. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the book and comic industries came together in an extraordinary way allowing Binc to help 2,200 booksellers, comic retailers, and stores with $2.9 million in urgently needed assistance. Help for financial emergencies for booksellers, comic retailers and store owners is available from Binc. Find out more or get help at http://www. bincfoundation.org.
For questions regarding auction details and items please contact GIVE COMICS HOPE at givecomicshope@gmail.com, and to apply for a grant click here.
Additional information regarding GIVE COMICS HOPE, including details on how to contribute to its ongoing efforts, testimonial videos, and more are available at www.givecomicshope.org. The GIVE COMICS HOPE logo was created by Craig Yoe of Yoe Studio. The GIVE COMICS HOPE website was designed and is managed by Gary Smith of AtPlay Creative.
For continuing news on GIVE COMICS HOPE, its auctions, and ongoing efforts to support retailers, stay tuned to www.givecomicshope.org and follow @givecomicshope on Instagram and Facebook, and @comicsgive on Twitter.