Book Industry Charitable Foundation

THE CENTERPIECE PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BOOK AND COMIC INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING BOOKSTORE AND COMIC SHOP OWNERS/OPERATORS, BOOKSELLERS, BOOK BUYERS, AND FORMER BORDERS EMPLOYEES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED ARISING FROM SEVERE HARDSHIP AND/OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DISASTER RELIEF, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION, OR LOSS OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME SUCH AS DIVORCE OR SEPARATION, DEATH OF AN EMPLOYEE OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER. ADDITIONALLY, THE BOOK INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MADE AVAILABLE OTHER TOOLS TO HELP AFFECTED EMPLOYEES AND OWNERS BETTER MANAGE WITH ONGOING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. THESE TOOLS INCLUDE HEALTH CARE RESOURCES DIRECTORIES, BUDGET PLANNING GUIDES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO EMPLOYEES, OWNERS, AND FORMER EMPLOYEES. THIS CENTERPIECE PROGRAM PROVIDES SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO BOOK AND COMIC INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES, OWNERS, AND FORMER BORDERS EMPLOYEES AND THEIR IMMEDIATE FAMILIES WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED ARISING FROM SEVERE HARDSHIP AND/OR EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DISASTER RELIEF, SERIOUS MEDICAL CONDITION, LOSS OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME DUE TO DEATH OF EMPLOYEE OR IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER, DIVORCE OR SEPARATION OR PARTNER'S/SPOUSE'S JOB LOSS. ADDITIONALLY, THE BOOK INDUSTRY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MADE AVAILABLE OTHER TOOLS TO HELP AFFECTED EMPLOYEES DEAL WITH ONGOING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. THESE TOOLS INCLUDE RESOURCE DIRECTORIES, BUDGET PLANNING GUIDES AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TOOLS.

UNDERSERVED MARKETS - OFFERS A TAILORED SUITE OF RESOURCES AND EDUCATION TO A GROUP OF UNDERREPRESENTED BOOKSELLERS TRYING TO OPEN BOOKSTORES IN AREAS IMPACTED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM. THE PROGRAM WILL LAUNCH AS A BOOKSTORE INCUBATOR AND AIMS TO GROW CAPACITY AND EXPAND STORES IN UNDERSERVED MARKETS. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PLANS TO PLAY THE ROLE OF A BACKBONE ORGANIZATION AND BRING RESOURCES AND PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER TO HELP EXPAND STORES IN UNDERSERVED MARKETS IN THE U.S.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS - THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT THE FUTURE OF HEALTHY BOOKSTORES AND COMIC STORES LIES IN THE CONTINUING EDUCATION OF THE OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES. TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER GROWTH, THE FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY EVENTS AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE MERIT AND NEED-BASED.

DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAM - DESIGNED TO ASSIST BOOK AND COMIC STORE OWNERS IF THEIR STORE WAS IMPACTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES. ANY ASSISTANCE GIVEN IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS COVERED BY INSURANCE AND DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY PAYMENTS TO MERCHANDISE VENDORS. THE STORE MUST DEMONSTRATE A FINANCIAL CRISIS BROUGHT ABOUT BY A NATURAL DISASTER INCLUDING LOSS OF INCOME DUE TO DISRUPTION OF BUSINESS. THE FOUNDATION IS ABLE TO HELP BY PAYING NEEDED RENT AND/OR UTILITIES.