Announcements - Binc Foundation

Binc Announces Selection Panel for BincTank BIPOC Business Incubator Program; Application Deadline Extended One Day

A panel of reviewers with a wealth of experience in all aspects of the book industry, as well as the entrepreneurial community, has been assembled by the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation to select the first cohort of BincTank, a pilot program that supports new BIPOC-owned retail bookselling businesses

Binc Welcomes New Board Executive Committee Officers and Three New Members

Three book industry leaders have joined the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation board of directors. They bring a variety of experience, from store ownership and frontline bookselling to leading publishing houses. In addition, the board’s new executive committee is Chris Morrow, former owner of Northshire Bookstore, president; historical fiction

Applications Open for Binc Scholarship to Denver Publishing Institute

Applications are open for current booksellers from a physical bookstore interested in learning about the publishing arm of the industry to apply for a scholarship to attend the Denver Publishing Institute (DPI). The scholarship, offered by the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation in collaboration with Sourcebooks and the Denver Publishing Institute at

Applications for the first cohort of BincTank, the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation’s bookstore business incubator program, will open Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, and close Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. The program will support new BIPOC-owned retail bookselling businesses that are physically located in their community. The application will be available

Binc Year-End Campaign Continues with Giving Tuesday Opportunity for Donors to Double Their Gift and Renewed Sense of Urgency

The number of book and comic people needing help this year has already surpassed the total number of financial assistance grants in all of 2022 and there are still six weeks to go. The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation’s year-end campaign, Read Love Support, needs to raise $150,000 before

Binc Launches Year-End Campaign with $15,000 Match and Free Audiobooks Thanks to Industry Partners

The need for emergency financial assistance within the bookstore and comic shop community continues to grow, both in the size and the quantity of grants, and the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation is kicking off its year-end campaign, Read Love Support, with a goal of raising $150,000 in donations

Binc Announces Winner of Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists

A Missouri bookseller has won the fifth Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists awarded by the Friends of Carla Gray Committee and the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation.

Riley Glissendorf from Stonecrest Book and Toy in Osage Beach, Missouri, will receive a year-long scholarship for professional development, which includes

More than $1MM Raised for Book and Comic Sellers Thanks to Humble Bundle and Ebook Publishers

Thanks to Humble Bundle and 17 publishers, more than $1 million has been donated to the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation in less than six years to support the people who own and work at book and comic stores across the country. One million dollars translates to nearly 500

Applications Open for Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activist

Binc is now accepting applications for the Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller-Activists. The winning bookseller will be awarded a year-long scholarship for professional development, which includes travel and hotel to attend Winter Institute 2024, travel and hotel to attend their 2024 regional fall tradeshow and a $1,000 stipend to

The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation is pleased to announce the winners of two scholarships managed by the foundation—the Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship and the George Keating Memorial Scholarship. The Macmillan scholarship allows eight booksellers from underrepresented groups to attend their region’s independent book association trade show. Each scholarship

Ann Arbor, MI – The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation is launching BincTank, a bookstore business incubator pilot program to support entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented communities who are interested in opening or expanding book retail services. Applications for the first cohort will be accepted in early 2024. “Reading is the

Binc and Macmillan Publishers Announce $5,000 Matching Gift to Help Booksellers and Comic Retailers Affected by Devastating Flooding

Ann Arbor, MI—Thanks to Macmillan Publishers, gifts made to the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation will have double the impact. Macmillan will match all gifts, regardless of size, up to $5,000 to meet the increasing needs of bookstore and comic shop employees and owners. At least nine stores have

Applications Open for Macmillan Professional Development Scholarships

Ann Arbor, MI – The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation and Macmillan Publishers are proud to announce that applications are open for the Macmillan Booksellers Professional Development Scholarship which provides $500 to booksellers traditionally underrepresented within the industry to attend their region’s fall trade show. Applications are accepted June 25-July 10.

“We know firsthand how the regional

With Help from our Friends, My Medical Journal is Born

Written by Kit Steinaway, retired Binc program manager, pictured with Binc Executive Director Pam French (left)

Over many years of assisting booksellers through medical challenges, Binc program managers have learned one very important fact: medical issues encompass much more than just paying the bills. Going through a serious medical

Binc Offers $750 Scholarships to Diamond Summit

Ann Arbor, MI – The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation announced today the Foundation will be offering two $750 scholarships to comic book store owners and their employees to attend the Diamond Summit in Dallas, TX, on June 7th and 9th. The funds may be used for travel, replacement wages, lodging,

The Denver Publishing Institute, Sourcebooks, and the Binc Foundation Announce Lily Huang as the 2023 Winner of DPI Scholarship

Ann Arbor, MI – Lily Huang has been awarded a scholarship to attend the Denver Publishing Institute this summer. Huang is a bookseller at The Seminary Co-op Bookstore & 57th Street Books in Chicago, IL. This scholarship is a collaboration with the Binc Foundation, Sourcebooks, and the Denver Publishing

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In the Archives

Past Email Newsletters

Annette Stillson

Annette's Beach Book Nook

During Hurricane Ian a storm surge of over 8 inches wiped it and many other stores and homes out. Thanks to the help from Binc I was able to pay my mortgage, giving me the time to concentrate on what to do next. I'm happy to say I will be opening Annette's Beach Book Nook on Fort Myers Beach by the end of summer.

“Thank you, thank you to Binc. I recently was laid off from the bookstore I work at due to COVID-19 and I applied for assistance, which they quickly delivered. It means so much to my family that this wonderful foundation has done for us at this uncertain time.”

— Bookseller helped after losing their job

“I am so grateful to Book Industry Charitable Foundation. The Governor of my state has deemed bookstores non essential and has closed them due to the Covid outbreak. To me, books are as essential as breathing. I have worked at my bookstore for 19 years and am a single mother. Binc helped me pay my mortgage. They did so with grace, compassion and very quickly. I am forever thankful for their assistance. I will remember these dark days and the help Binc provided to me and my child. Thank you.” — Julie

“I was at the NAIBA trade show in August and chatted with the folks at the Binc table and learned about the My Medical Journal publication. My husband is a family practice doctor and his office is in the same building as me. When I ordered and received a copy of My Medical Journal, I brought one down to him and left it on his desk with a post-it note. Within the HOUR, a patient stopped up and wanted it. This showed me that he also immediately saw the value of it and how it would solve a problem his patient was expressing of seeing a lot of different doctors and forgetting information. He showed it to her and she came right up to the bookstore to buy the copy!” — Joanna Robertson

“Working with Binc has been overwhelmingly positive. When my family had a medical emergency, they were quick to respond to my request for assistance. The communication and follow up has been exceptional, and Binc provided helpful contacts and resources in addition to their financial assistance. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Binc to anyone looking to donate, or to anyone in the book industry that needs assistance. They really are exceptional at their work.” — A bookseller helped through a medical emergency

“Binc is incredible. I lost a molar to a failed root canal and my dentist recommended a dental implant but there was no way I could afford it, even with dental insurance. I applied for assistance and was approved so quickly and easily that I was overjoyed.” — Nottoothless

I cannot thank Binc enough for helping me through a very difficult time in my life. I was struggling mentally spiritually and financially after fleeing my abuser. after opening up to my managers about my situation they all recommended Binc. I seriously appreciate the work that Binc does, I was scared and my mental health was declining, but they provided me with 2 months of therapy for free and paid 2 months of my rent to help me get back on my feet. the process was extremely easy and I want to thank Judey for being so patient kind and understanding with me as we worked through the process! such a beautiful compassionate organization I'm very grateful for Binc! — HYSBOOKS123

“I reached out to Binc after my supervisor recommended them, and sure enough, they turned out to be my heroes. They worked with me quickly, efficiently, and moreover kindly. They cared that I was afraid and worried, and wanted to help as much as they could. The process for getting help was easy and uncomplicated, and they ended up helping me find affordable care, as well as approving financial assistance for the entire dental work bill! They took care of all of it! I’d never been so grateful. It’s already scary not knowing if you can afford groceries, but having someone do everything they can to make sure that that fear isn’t pushed further is amazing. I cannot recommend applying, or donating, to this foundation enough: they care far more than is ever asked of them, and do more than anyone ever needs to.” — A bookseller helped with dental work

I work as a Bar and Cafè manager at an independent bookstore in Colorado. My wife and I fell on hard times when she lost her job abruptly. My boss pointed me in the direction of the Binc Foundation. The process was very straightforward and Judey was amazing. We are so honored and thankful for the financial help. We will definitely be donating to the cause once we are all ship shape again! We are truly thankful for this organization and the people who make it all happen! — Spencer517

A huge thank you Binc for helping me out during a difficult time emotionally,, mentally and financially. Judey was especially amazing and so kind and helpful. Thank goodness for Binc and it's supporters. Binc is the best! I look forward to when I can pay it forward! Keep up the great work! Thank you! — KG Chicago, IL

I found out at the last minute that my landlord was selling the place I was living in and I would need to move by the end of the month. I couldn't afford to start a new lease and didn't know what to do. When I shared what was going on in my life with a colleague, he told me to contact Binc. Judey got back to me almost immediately. I had been so upset about everything that I was honestly trying not to cry when I was on the phone explaining my situation. But Judey put everything in perspective and assured me we would figure things out and that's exactly what she did. This week, Binc sent a check to my new landlord to cover my first months rent. It was such a huge relief when I found out there was help for me. Getting help when I needed it the most meant the world to me. — ellegee