Dear friends,
We are delighted to announce Binc is being honored with the Los Angeles Times Book Prizes Innovator's Award. Binc will share the virtual stage with Leslie Marmon Silko, this year's Robert Kirsch Award honoree; Andrew O’Hagan, the winner of the Christopher Isherwood Prize; and the rest of the winners of the 41st annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes.
 According to the LA Times, The Innovator’s Award “spotlights efforts to bring books, publishing and storytelling into the future.” Binc is being recognized for the work the Foundation did at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.
The Book Prizes will name winners in a wide range of categories on April 16, kicking-off the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Stories and Ideas, which will be virtual this year and run from April 17 - 23.
Read the full LA Times press release. Find the list of finalists and honorees and more about the Festival of Books.
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Applications Now Open for Binc Foundation 2021 Higher Education Scholarship Program
 “We are proud to support booksellers and comic shop people investing in their families’ futures through Binc’s higher education scholarship program,” said Binc Executive Director Pamela French.
Applications will be accepted March 3rd through April 15th, 2021 for the Binc Foundation’s annual higher education scholarship program. The 2021 scholarship program supports bookstore and comic book shop owners and employees, and former Borders Group employees by helping their dependents, spouses, and partners pursue their higher education goals. Binc will again this year award seven (7) $3,500 scholarships to the dependents of bookstore and comic shop employees and one (1) Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship award of $5,000 will be granted to an independent bookstore or comic book shop employee who has overcome a learning adversity or is a nontraditional student.
Read the full release.
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GIVE COMICS HOPE Applications Open Through March 15
 The GIVE COMICS HOPE application period opened March 1 and will continue through March 15, 2021, with grants to be distributed in early spring. U.S. and Canadian comic shops can apply for the GCH grants at http://bit.ly/3dM56xr.
Thanks to comic book industry veteran Bill Schanes and his volunteer team for their work on this campaign which raised funds for and public awareness of the ongoing impacts of the pandemic on local comics shops.
The results of the campaign are still being finalized, but it is anticipated that qualifying stores will receive between $75 and $200, depending on the number of stores that apply. Read the full press release.
If you have applied, but not received an automatic confirmation that your application has been received, please reapply or email Kate@bincfoundation.org to assure we've received your application.
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Comics Pro Conference and Winter Institute Recap
It was wonderful to see so many of you at the Comics Pro conference and Winter Institute. Virtual events have become an effective way to network and share industry information, but we are looking forward to the days we’ll be able to meet again in person.
Thanks again to Marco Davanzo and team for being excellent hosts at Comics Pro and for making Binc the recipient of the Comics Pro auction. Thank you also to everyone who donated items and bid generously to add some new collectibles to their stash.
Thanks also to Dynamite Entertainment which recently made a gift of $10,000 that we were able to celebrate at Comics Pro.
At Winter Institute, AdventureKEEN announced the 2020 results of its SHOP LOCAL, LIVE LOCAL give back campaign with a virtual check presentation in the Binc booth. The campaign raised a total of $4,332 for Binc, with a matching $4,332 going to 261 participating independent bookstores. The event was captured as Shelf Awareness’ picture of the day on February 19. Read the full press release.
The Trivia Night game, sponsored by the ABA and benefiting Binc, raised $2,629, and helped close out the conference with a fun, high-energy event. It was a competitive game, but the prize went to the ‘Masked and Dangerous’ team. Thanks to ABA for hosting, and to everyone who played and donated.
If you haven’t had a chance to see the Wi16 opening montage, it is well worth viewing.
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A Bookseller You Helped: Making a Fresh Start
Divorce is an emotional and difficult situation at any time, but it is doubly hard during a pandemic. One bookseller found this out recently as the stresses of COVID led to the end of their marriage and the need for an immediate move.
Read the story of this bookseller that you helped at: https://www.bincfoundation.org/making-a-fresh-start/
And subscribe to our Monthly Stories to get to know the people you are helping us help.
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💡 Fundraising Spotlight 💡
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 Are You Ready?
Humble Bundle and Skyhorse Publishing have put together a package of ebooks to help you figure out how to do anything and everything.
Sales benefit Binc. Bundle available until March 15.
http://bit.ly/301hh1c
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Double Visions Comic Art Auction Still Going Strong
The Double Visions comic art auction, bringing together fun team-ups of some of the comic industry’s biggest talents to benefit the Hero Initiative and Binc’s Comicbook United Fund, continues through May 4 with a new batch of art each week. Find out more on the Hero Initative’s website at https://www.heroinitiative.org/portfolio-item/double-visions-auctions/
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Program Update from Kit & Kate
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 Check if you’re eligible for the EITC
Booksellers and comic store staff, don't forget to take advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) if you qualify.
Special for 2020, if you earned more in 2019, you can use the highest number in your 2020 tax filing.
Details at http://bit.ly/2OldSYH
Check with your tax preparer for specific eligibility and advice.
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Tax information for 2020 COVID Disaster Relief Grants
- You do not need a form from Binc related to your grant.
- If the check was made payable to you, it may not be taxable to you. You will need to check with your tax professional for specific IRS and state guidelines related to disaster assistance. Click here for more information.
- If the check was made payable to a vendor on your behalf (landlord, utility company, etc.), your grant is not taxable. You do not need to report the grant on your taxes.
- If your check was made payable to your for-profit entity, your grant may not be taxable. You will need to check with your tax professional for specific IRS and state guidelines related to disaster assistance. Click here for more information.
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Assistance Resource of the Month
Triage Cancer: No matter your medical issue, this site is packed with resources, educational materials, and videos for patients and caregivers. Its tools can help with navigation of the healthcare system, financial and legal issues, and more. Sign up for their informative newsletter and don’t miss their incredible webinars.
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Winter Storm Marks Binc’s first Disaster Grants of 2021
Even before the power was back on many places, Kit and Kate were fielding inquiries from stores and individuals impacted by the storms. As of last week, 6 disaster grants have been approved, helping bookstores, comic shops and individuals who had emergency needs as a result of flooded stores and other problems caused by the winter storm emergencies.
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Help Raise Our Profile in the Comics Community
We are working to raise awareness of Binc, especially in the comics community, so if there’s a comics person who might not know about us, please pass along this newsletter and share a bit about the Foundation.
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Binc 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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