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Hi Friend,
The end of the year is always a busy time and it certainly is here at Binc, but we hope you are finding time to celebrate and enjoy the people who are dear to you. We appreciate the tremendous support our friends and donors have given us this year, allowing us to provide more than $2.7M in assistance to more than 2,100 book and comic shops, booksellers, and comic retailers.
Yet the level of need remains incredibly high. We have kicked-off our year-end fundraising campaign with Ingram Content Group which is generously matching contributions dollar for dollar up to $15,000. Please give what you can, every gift is meaningful, and every gift will make a difference for a book or comic seller in need. See the fundraising spotlight below for a few additional ways to make your gift add up this year.
 If you haven’t finished your holiday shopping, we have lots of suggestions:
- The first Binc Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts That Give Back, which features products that benefit Binc and a host of fun items from a wide range of bookstores encouraging people to #shopindie. Don’t miss the Binc t-shirt, with a design by illustrator, cover artist, and designer Henry Sene Yee.
And for those of you I haven’t met yet, the new person behind the newsletters is Robin Wood. I am Binc’s new communications and marketing specialist and I joined the Foundation Oct. 12.
Most recently, I come from Books & Books at The Studios of Key West, where I’ve been a bookseller for the past five years and continue to manage the store’s social media. Prior to joining the book industry, my career has been in public relations and I’ve held leadership positions in communications for companies, associations, and public relations agencies. If you have questions or comments or just want to say “hi,” drop us a line.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season,
The Binc Team
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💡 Fundraising Spotlight 💡
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Along with Ingram’s match, a generous donor and the federal government are making your donations do extra heavy lifting:
Planned Giving Challenge
If you have a commitment to the Binc Foundation in your estate plans, or you are willing to state your intention, this is the perfect time to tell us. Friend of the Foundation Bob Ross has set up a matching gift challenge. For every planned gift intention pledged this year, Binc will receive $500; up to $15,000. Help us reach our goal of 30 planned gift intentions before December 31, 2020. For more information and to share your bequest intention, click here.
New CARES ACT $300 Charitable Deduction
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic relief package allows taxpayers who take the standard deduction on their taxes to also take a deduction for up to $300 in cash donations made this year to qualifying charitable organizations. More information about the new deduction, which applies this year only, at irs.gov/newsroom. Consult your tax professional to determine if this applies in your situation.
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Program Update from Kit & Kate
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A bookseller you helped
A bookseller was recently diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage which required immediate surgery. In many cases, even when a book or comics seller has health insurance, the days of missed work, co-pays, and deductibles will create the added burden of financial stress when the person needs to be resting and healing. Binc was able to help cover the cost of this bookseller's surgery and multi-day hospital recovery, which allowed them to have one less thing to worry about as they convalesce. Because of Binc advocates like you, this bookseller is now back doing the work they love, connecting customers with their new favorite book.
Mortgage Forbearance/Renter protections
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has very informative information on their site pertaining to mortgage forbearance and rent protection. The important take-away is that homeowners and renters must request help, it isn't automatic. The CARES Act provided for mortgage forbearance programs for homeowners with federally backed mortgages and rental protections for renters living in federally subsidized housing or renting from owners with federally backed mortgages. Know your options and get more information at consumerfinance.gov/coronavirus/mortgage-and-housing-assistance.
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What Unites Us – Dec. 2, 7 pm EST
Former national evening news anchor Dan Rather is the 2020 spokesperson for Indies First, the American Booksellers Association’s national campaign in support of independent bookstores. Rather, who is the author of What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism, is headlining an event celebrating indie bookstores on Dec. 2, at 7:00 p.m. ET on Zoom. Buy the book (optional) at your favorite indie bookstore and register for the free event here: eventbrite.com/e/dan-rather-what-unites-us-tickets
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To Our Donors and Supporters, we have been the recipient of these messages, but they are yours.
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Currently, my comic book shop has been temporarily closed due to the pandemic. Like everyone else I applied for a SBA loan and I also applied for a grant from Binc which they have approved and sent me a check to help out with our mortgage.
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I've been a bookseller for 20 years. With Covid-19, my store has closed. My sister told me that Binc exists, still, even though Borders is no more. I applied, and it was so easy. I am so grateful that this nonprofit exists. They were so kind and responsive.
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The assistance was mentally and physically invigorating during a dark time. A positive force for this world!
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Available Assistance for Booksellers and Comic Retailers
Your community is here for you. If you are a bookstore employee, comic shop employee, or store owner who is facing an unexpected financial hardship, please contact us. Binc may be able to help.
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P.S.
 If you’re not already, following Binc on social media, it’s a fun way to stay up to date. We are @thinkingbinc on Instagram, @BincFoundation on Facebook and Twitter. Right now, we’re working with a group of social media influencers on the #Bookstagrammers4Binc, helping to promote the Gift Guide.
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