The Xeric self-publishing grant for comics comes to an end next year. Founded almost 20 years ago by Peter Laird with proceeds from the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Northampton, MA based Xeric Foundation has been an important fixture in the small press comics world. Xeric grants to date have totaled $2,500,000, split about evenly between self-publishing comic book creators and local charitable organizations.

In light of the increasing importance and accessibility of the internet, the Foundation plans to devote all of its future grant money to charitable organizations. The deadline for the last self-publishing grant is February 28, 2012.

Read the full official announcement here.