Serendipity Books is a recent recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation.
“The extraordinary support Serendipity Books received during the pandemic demonstrates a community that wants a thriving independent bookstore. Matching individual customers with their perfect book from our curated collection will always be the mission of Serendipity Books. This generous grant ensures that Serendipity Books can move from strength to strength as we fulfill our mission and serve our community,” said Michelle Tuplin, owner, Serendipity Books, in a press release.
The Survive to Thrive, a special, one-time store grant initiative, awarded grants to 115 independent bookstores and comic shops totaling $1.1 million in 48 states.
Ninety-nine stores will receive grants of $10,000 and 16 will receive $7,500. The grant recipients were determined by a juried application process with the goal of assisting stores that were poised to make a strong recovery from the pandemic.
Tuplin wrote, “I sharpened my pencil. I told the story of Chelsea and beyond and the support showered on Serendipity Books during the pandemic. I wrote about piles of special orders, private shopping, those dreadful gloves we wore, virtual events, contact-free pick-up, and deliveries to the retirement communities. I detailed the bookstore’s mission, matching books to customers and supporting literacy, inquiry, and diverse thought in our small midwestern town. I described how 10K would enable Serendipity Books to forge ahead, heavily investing in additional curated inventory just right for our town. Then I put my pencil down and waited.”
The Survive to Thrive initiative was launched in March with a leading gift of $500,000 jointly from Ingram Charities and Ingram Content Group.
“Our goal is to do well by helping others do well. Supporting local bookstores and comic shops is an excellent way to support communities as we continue to move beyond the pandemic crisis,” said John R. Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries and Ingram Content Group in a press release. “Above all else, I am happy to have been a catalyst for helping a group of stores recover from the pandemic. Thank you to my friends and colleagues in publishing and all those who joined together to make the Survive to Thrive initiative successful.”
