This new grant program, backed by Ingram and other industry leaders, has raised the first million of Survive to Thrive's two million dollar goal, earmarked to help independent bookstores and comic stores get back on their feet after the pandemic. Initial donations include a $500,000 gift from Ingram Charities and Ingram Content Group; $250,000 from Bookshop.org and $250,000 from Hachette, Harper Collins, Macmillan Publishers, and Penguin Random House. John R. Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Industries and Ingram Content Group, commented on their gift:

“As we all turn our attention toward getting to the other side of the pandemic, I want to be sure local bookstores – gems of their communities – have a chance to not only survive, but thrive,” he said. “Our intent was to make an initial gift to quickly start the Survive to Thrive grant program and to set it up as a matching grant – hoping it will inspire others to join us in supporting local independent booksellers. Bookstores are the lifeblood of local communities – their success is our success.”

Once the $2 million dollar goal is achieved, the Survive to Thrive initiative could distribute grants of up to $10,000 to struggling bookstores. Grants from this fund will be subject to a review process designed to make sure the capital goes to stabilize stores and help them thrive. Applications to receive a grant will be open in mid-April and grants are expected to be distributed in early June. To donate, visit https://secure.donationpay.org/bincfoundation/survive2thrive.php.

The Binc Foundation also announced the opening of applications for its 2021 Higher Education Scholarship Program, which supports the educational goals of dependents of bookstore and comic shop employees (see "The Binc Foundation Announces the Opening of Applications for Its 2021 Higher Education Scholarship Program").