“Over $150,950” in financial aid has been given out between 135 U.S. comic book store owners so far as part of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (BINC)’s charity efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. BINC reports that 722 comic book stores have applied for aid so far, with applications being processed daily.
BINC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to assisting booksellers in need – including comic booksellers. In the past, BINC has offered financial assistance to comic book stores affected by natural disasters and other unexpected financial crises.
BINC has received several notable donations to this cause over the past two months, including $250,000 from DC; $433,166 as part of the #Creators4Comics auction; $10,000 from the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC); unspecified funds from Oni/Lion Forge; and over $150,000 (and counting) as part of DC Publisher/CCO Jim Lee’s ongoing 60 sketches/60 days art auctions.
Additional efforts for comic book shop owners in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia have also cropped up independently.