Happy New Year Everyone!
Are you one of those wondering where all that crazy amount of money we raised with this project?
I hope you do! Because it is the money you all helped raise!
One of the Totoro Project committee, Yukino went to attend this big 10th year anniversary of Totoro Forest Foundation in Japan back in last November.
And there did she present…
$185,221 to the foundation!
This is basically how much we allocated in our first installment to the foundation. (we are still waiting for the right timing to transfer the money since US dollar is so weak these days!)
There is obviously more with some small amount the books made and other donations. That’ll come in the second installment.
This is the total amount we raised from the artwork plus ticket sales minus the event expenses and the fee for Give2Asia(non profit that legally transfers our fund to Japan).
Quick run down of the expense
framing/exhibition walls/t-shirts/post cards/banner/misc auction materials $6264.62
Food/Catering $11,000.00
Beverages (wine/beer/sake/tea/soft drinks) $2,780.00
Chairs/Glass/Linen rental Classic Party Rentals $5,531.34
This is less than 15% of the entire fund we raised which is, according to Give2Asia(non profit that oversaw this project), one of the most efficient fund raising events they have ever seen!
They said even professional fund raising events can’t be this efficient. Wow! All the hard work everyone put into paid off!
Even A BIGGER NEWS!
We GOT FOREST!
The Totoro No Furusato Fund sent us with these photos(attached)!
Yes! They bought 2 sections of Totoro Forest with the very money we donated! YAAAAAAAAY! It is OUR forest! Well… sorry.. we can’t claim the ownership obviously…..it is everyone’s forest that we helped buy! 
These are pretty small forests(50 meters x 50 meters each……sigh…., real estate is expensive in Japan….) but they said these are some of the key sections in the forest they have been eying on. This will prevent some serious illegal dumping etc…
Yes. We made a difference. All of you, artists, donors, fans, bloggers, who supported this project in your own ways!
And they assured that there will be some signs to indicate Totoro Forest Project auction on the site.
Wouldn’t that be neat?
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Sorry…
this post is getting long….
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Just a few more things you might want to know
*We still receive tons and tons of inquiries about the second printing of the book. We are currently waiting to hear from the publisher who expressed interest. There are a few other possibilities and we are trying to get what makes most sense for the purpose of this project. It is really nice to know that so many many many people are wanting this book. I will say this honestly that we probably have 50/50 chance of reprinting this book.
*Now the first exhibition at Cartoon Art Museum is down, there is only one more month left for you to witness the original art of this extraordinary event. Please don’t miss the show at the Cartoon Art in San Francisco! They also is having a spectacular the Art of Coraline exhibit!(see one of Totoro artists, Tadahiro Uesugi’s first animation concept work!)
Many Congrats my friend! To you and everyone who helped!!! Great job.
Congratulations! That is awesome! Great news for the new year!!!
Peace, maka
(And I am one of those folks who is hopeful for a second printing.
Congratulations!!! great work!
Dice,
For those who won the pieces in the Auction, can we pick up directly from Cartoon Art Museum after it finishes in Feb. I do not trust shipping and it is easier for locals.
BTW, the art of Coraline was incredible and amazing. It is surprising that it is Uesugi-san first work in animation because the Coraline work looks like he has been doing it for years. Katy Wu and Chris Applehans’ Coraline work is also amazing.
cK
Great job guys! i’m from Italy and it will be impossible for me to go to San Francisco, but i’m with you! The forest is wonderful!!
Happy Lunar New Year!
Thank you for all your hard work and passion. I’m just passing by. I hope there will be a second printing of the book!
Cheers from Toronto, Canada.
Wow~it is so amazing!! Congrats!!!
I remember I was in San Francisco last month and very accidentally I visited the Cartoon Art Museum and I was very much impressed by the Totoro Forest Project Exhibition. That was the best experience I had in San Francisco! I will keep an eye on this blog and wish you all the best =)
Plus, I am waiting for the second printing of the auction book .. can the revenue be a part of the donation to the project?
Good job everyone. I just found out that Insight Editions will doing the seconding printing for the art book which will be out August 2009. Amazon is even taking pre-orders. Now’s much chance to get the book.
Hmm… Interesting that the second printing is announced on Amazon.com. There’s nothing concrete as far as our second printing goes. That should not be there…
This is so awesome!
I am (yet another) person who’d really like there to be a second printing of the book. I missed it by a day or two last time and I was really upset. It would mean so much get a chance to get a hold of the book (especially since I had no way to see the art at the showings, as I’m across the United States in Maine).
Was there any further news about a second printing of the book?
dying for news on that 2nd printing … i know several people who missed out and would love a copy
Well done guys! ^____^
From Italy I cannot help much but I gave echoes of the project around..hopefully I’ll flip the book as soon it becomes newly available or whatever..
i’m i, love with your magical project
FANTÁSTICO LIBRO!
ABRAZO
Love the art and what you’ve accomplished with it! I keep checking back for a second printing of the book…keep us all updated:-)