Frank Gogol | Comic Book Writer

Philanthropy

In 2024, my wife and I established the Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation with an initial $100,000 commitment, aiming to grow this fund to a total of $500,000 over the next five years. The Foundation’s mission is deeply rooted in my own life experiences and the positive impact of community support and the comics industry during challenging times.

Origins

Seeing so many comics retailers and creators struggle during the pandemic was eye-opening. In April 2020, I launched the No Heroine Retailer Relief variant program to provide free, exclusive product to retailers at a time when distribution was shut down, lockdowns were in place, and sales were nonexistent.

While this program offered some relief, it became clear that a more sustained, long-term effort was needed to make a lasting difference. This experience planted the initial seed for what would become the Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation—a way to go beyond temporary aid and create lasting opportunities for the comics community and other causes close to my heart.

Our Mission

Growing up, my family faced significant challenges due to addiction, which led to my placement in foster care and later a group home. In those formative years, I discovered comic books, which became a critical outlet and source of inspiration. With these experiences in mind, we’ve built the Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation around three core pillars:

  1. Comics Industry Support: Providing resources for creators, retailers, and literacy programs in the comics community.
  2. Support for Children and Teens in Non-Traditional Home Settings: Assisting young people in foster care, group homes, or other non-traditional environments.
  3. Assistance for Recovering Addicts: Offering support for individuals on the path to recovery.

Through these pillars, the foundation strives to give back to the causes that were instrumental to my own journey.

A Personal Responsibility

As someone who once benefited from the generosity of charitable organizations, I am incredibly grateful to be in a position to give back to the communities and causes that shaped my life. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to support struggling creators and retailers in the comics industry and to contribute to impactful charities that offer guidance and hope to young people and recovering addicts.

Structure and Transparency

The Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation is structured as a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), meaning the funds are invested with the goal of increasing our capacity for future giving. DAFs also offer tax advantages, as they allow for a portion of committed funds to be tax-deductible each year. However, charitable donations to qualifying organizations are tax-beneficial regardless of whether they come from a DAF or directly from a bank account. We chose the DAF model for its potential to grow the Foundation’s giving power through investment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation?

The Gogol-Geeslin Futures Foundation is a charitable fund established in 2024 with an initial $100,000 commitment, set to grow to $500,000 over the next five years. It supports causes related to the comics industry, children and teens in non-traditional home settings, and assistance for recovering addicts.

What types of organizations does the Foundation support?

Our mission focuses on three primary pillars:

  1. Comics Industry Support: Supporting charities that benefit creators, retailers, and literacy programs within the comics community.
  2. Children and Teens in Non-Traditional Home Settings: Assisting organizations that support young people in foster care, group homes, or other non-traditional environments.
  3. Assistance for Recovering Addicts: Helping those working toward recovery from addiction.

We aim to support 501(c)(3) organizations that align with these values.

How much of the fund goes toward comics-related causes?

Approximately 75% of the Foundation’s giving is directed toward comics-related charities, specifically those helping creators, retailers, and literacy programs. The remaining portion is allocated to charities supporting children and teens in foster care or group homes, as well as programs for addiction recovery.

Why is the Foundation structured as a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?

The DAF structure allows us to invest the funds in the stock market, with the potential to grow the fund over time, thereby expanding our capacity for future giving. While DAFs provide tax advantages, donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-beneficial whether they come from a DAF or directly from a bank account.

How can I recommend an organization for support?

We’re always open to hearing about impactful 501(c)(3) charities, especially those supporting the comics community or aligning with our mission. If you know of any such organizations, please reach out!