North American Comic Shops Can Apply for Grants in Mid-January 2021
GIVE COMICS HOPE, the new charitable initiative which began its fundraising efforts this fall, today announces the application period has been changed and will now open mid- to late January (exact dates will be announced soon), with funds distributed at the end of February. 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.
As the dust settles on what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year and much of the US is again in some form of shutdown, this vital core of the industry has been thrown into uncertainty yet again. GIVE COMICS HOPE’s initial charitable efforts were focused on two auctions designed to raise the initial slate of 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.
“With our GIVE COMICS HOPE eBay auction still active and auction items being posted every day, it’s a fabulous time for bidders to pick up some really great bargains, while at the same time showing support for comic book stores,” says GIVE COMICS HOPE founder Bill Schanes.
The second of the two initial fundraising auctions is live now, hosted by Jesse James Comics/Comic Book Shopping Network in partnership with eBay, which includes a mix of rare editions, original art, and more.
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. 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. In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the book and comic industries came together in an extraordinary way allowing Binc to help 2,191 booksellers, comic retailers, and stores with $2.7 million in urgently needed assistance.
Additional information regarding GIVE COMICS HOPE, including details on how to donate, ideas for what to donate, suggestions for how to support the initiative without a collectible donation, and testimonial videos, 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.
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ABOUT GIVE COMICS HOPE
Give Comics Hope was founded by Bill Schanes in 2020 as a direct response to the impact felt by comic book retailers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Give Comics Hope is an ambitious charitable initiative that calls on all members of our community to rally together to provide vital aid to these small businesses. By uniting together and giving back, we can pay it forward to those who nurtured our love of comic books for ourselves and for future fans to come. Please visit www.givecomicshope.org for more information.
Web: www.givecomicshope.org
Instagram: @givecomicshope
Twitter: @comicsgive
Facebook: @givecomicshope
ABOUT BINC
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates charitable programs to strengthen the bookselling community. Established in 1996, the core program provides assistance to store employees and owners who have a demonstrated financial need arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances. Since its inception, the organization has provided over $9 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 9000+ families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services come from all sectors of the book and comic industries. The Book Industry Charitable Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the bookselling and comic retail community through charitable programs that support employees and their families. The Foundation was imagined and built by booksellers and proudly continues to be their safety net. It is our vision to be a caring community of book and comic people. Additional information can be found at http://www. bincfoundation.org.
ABOUT JESSE JAMES COMICS/COMIC BOOK SHOPPING NETWORK
Jesse James Comics LLC, is one of the leaders in both social networking and e-commerce sales, as well as boasting a 8000 sq. brick and mortar store in Glendale, Arizona. Originally established August 28th, 2009 as a retail comic book store in Glendale, today the company operates one flagship store in Glendale, Arizona. Jesse James Comics serves customers through its online presence of its highly rated eBay store as well as its “Best Customer Service Award winning” brick and mortar store. Jesse James Comics has also created, or participated in, approximately 275+ exclusives since opening its doors in 2009. He is the President of Comic Book Shopping Network, CBSN. CBSN sells over 800+ books a day on its live stream.