To stay abreast of available grants, visit GrantWatch (you can subscribe to their emails) to get current information on available grants. Also, create a Google Alert for the type of grants you’re looking for.
Financial help is available for your store and your booksellers! For a wide range of financial needs, visit the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc). For pandemic related needs, the American Booksellers Association (ABA) is compiling Federal, local, and, other non-governmental financial resources here.
Give a Bookseller a Lift Travel Grants
GABAL Grants are awarded to booksellers across our region to help with travel expenses for attending MPIBA events. Each GABAL Travel Grant for SpringCon 2022 is good for up to $300 towards hotel and transportation expenses (mileage, bus fare, plane fare, etc.).
To qualify for a GABAL Travel Grant you must currently work for an MPIBA member bookstore in good standing that is located more than 50 miles from the event location (Golden, CO and San Antonio, TX). Please only apply if you are able to travel to the event, and if applicable, have permission from your store owner or manager to attend the event.
Application deadline is Friday, March 18, 2022. Three grant recipients per event will be drawn randomly from all qualified applicants. Recipients will not be eligible to receive another Travel Grant for three years. Grantees will be reimbursed for expenses upon receipt of documentation.
We want to thank our good friends at Binc for funding GABAL travel grants for SpringCon and FallCon each year.
Blue Willow – Vener Barnes Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship to attend the fall trade show and conference is offered by Valerie Koehler, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston, Texas, in honor of her father and bookselling inspiration, Vener Barnes. The scholarship is for $500 to help with room, board, and travel expenses.
The grant is open to any owner or bookseller from an MPIBA member store in good standing, who has never attended the MPIBA fall trade show and conference. Please only apply if you are able to travel to the event, and if applicable, have permission from your store owner or manager to attend FallCon.
Applications for FallCon 2022 scholarships will open summer 2022. Stay tuned for information. One recipient will be drawn randomly from all qualified applicants. Grantees will be reimbursed for expenses upon receipt of documentation. Recipients will not be eligible to receive another grant to attend a show for three years.
Small Business Grant Resources
- Women’s Net Amber Grant for Women
- Online Guide to Grants for Women
- Lowe’s-LISC Partnership Small Business Grants
- Small Business Grants for Women: 14 Incredible Opportunities
- Top Minority Business Grants
- Grants and In-Kind Services to USA Business Owners to Support Business Growth
- Grants for Women Entrepreneurs for Business Development
- IdeaCafe Small Business Grant Center
- Here’s a Great Article on Small Business Grants — Scroll Down for Tips & Best Practices for Applying!
The Book Industry Charitable Foundation is an essential resource in times of crisis. They can help find relief for bookstores and booksellers. Many resources and opportunities for assistance can be found here.