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Support the Seminary Co-op: COVID-19 Relief

For nearly 60 years, the Seminary Co-op Bookstores has served as a cultural anchor in and beyond Chicago. Today, we are faced with an existential threat that can only be met by calling on our global community. As a steward of this institution – the first not-for-profit bookstore whose mission is bookselling – I am asking for your immediate financial support to help us sustain the space of inquiry and contemplation we've built together.

The Seminary Co-op’s business model relies on seasonal sales spikes associated with author events, coursebook purchases, and holiday shopping, as well as, of course, the sales from daily browsing. While your support of our stores through online purchasing has been tremendously helpful and heartening, it simply isn’t enough to ensure we can meet our immediate expenses, including payroll and publisher bills. 

We are thoroughly reviewing all of our options, including loans, grants, and other forms of institutional and government support, but these alone will not fully ensure our short-term viability, let alone our long-term survival. Funds given to this campaign will provide us the cash resources to address our immediate future and, we hope, allow us to create the structure which will support our stores through and beyond this uncertain time.

Books have always been for us a means of aspiration and reflection, curiosity and comfort; a means to go places without going far. Our mission , which privileges browsing, discovery, and inquiry, has allowed us to reimagine forms of engagement throughout our history. We are confident that, with your support, our stacks will continue to inspire, inform, and comfort readers.

This fundraising campaign is just one way in which readers, members, and enthusiasts of the Co-op can show support. Please continue to buy books , follow us on social media, and listen to our podcast, Open Stacks . And please share this message widely in your communities. 

Your support, encouragement, and ambassadorship have championed our stores for nearly 60 years. Thank you for doing so much during this exceedingly difficult moment on behalf of our beloved stores.

With humility and gratitude,

Jeff Deutsch
Director, Seminary Co-op Bookstore  & 57th Street Books

Seminary Co-op Bookstore
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57th Street Books 
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Your gifts are voluntary and not tax deductible for federal tax purposes

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Donations 

  • Cristina Ochoa
    • $40 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $2,000 
    • 3 yrs
  • James Block
    • $130 
    • 3 yrs
  • Rebecca Janowitz
    • $2,000 
    • 3 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $5 
    • 3 yrs
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Organizer

Jeff Deutsch
Organizer
Chicago, IL

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