PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP — A charity funded primarily by Borders Group Inc. employees before the bookselling chain's demise has changed its name and expanded its mission to assisting book industry workers nationwide in times of need.
The Borders Group Foundation's new name is the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, and the group has moved from Borders' former Ann Arbor headquarters to an office in Washtenaw County's Pittsfield Township, according to AnnArbor.com.
"We now have become a startup in all essence," said Pamela French, executive director of the foundation, which was launched in 1996. The foundation, she said, has distributed more than $5 million in assistance since its inception and has about $4 million in assets.
The foundation operated independently of Borders. It previously dedicated money to helping Borders employees who were having financial difficulties due to various circumstances such as job loss or medical problems.
The foundation drew its primary funding from a voluntary Borders' employee payroll deduction. It would examine requests for help from store employees throughout the U.S. and corporate employees in Ann Arbor, then decide whether to assist with funding.
That program will continue through this year. Meanwhile, the foundation decided to convert its mission in an effort to improve the lives of book industry employees throughout the country.
In 2010, the foundation began planning for the possibility of Borders' demise. Borders Group filed for bankruptcy protection a year ago and liquidated in July.
Through 2007, Borders matched employee contributions to the foundation up to 50 percent on the dollar. The average employee contributed $4.35 a month. The group also raised money through an annual golf outing attended by publishers.
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Pamela French is executive director of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, which was funded mainly by Borders Group Inc. employees before Borders went out of business. AP/Angela J. Cesere
Borders employees expand charity
Foundation aims to assist book industry workers in need
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