Help send Todd Cooper to Chico Review

Hey folks,

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I've recently been presented with a major opportunity in my field. I've applied to Chico Review for years and have finally been accepted. This is a prestigious 7-day portfolio review, conference, photobook retreat and huge networking opportunity. Chico Review consistently brings in the best of the industry and this year is no exception. There are so many on the roster who I've followed for years, offering constant inspiration with their work. Now I have this rare chance to connect and learn from them in person. It's been a long-time goal of mine to publish a photography book. I really believe taking part in this will put me on that path.

As luck would have it, it came at a terrible time financially. Shortly before Christmas, the newspaper where I have worked for for 20+ years discovered it had been the victim of embezzlement at the hands of someone it once trusted. We are still counting up the damage, but it’s in the 6 figures. The theft of EW’s funds remained hidden for years and has left the finances in shambles. A team of private forensic accountants is analyzing our books and accounts. We’ve reported the thefts to the Eugene Police Department, which is conducting an investigation.

We’ve discovered that many companies we do business with — vendors who turned out to be very patient — haven’t been paid in months. EW employees who thought they were paying into retirement accounts have learned the money never arrived at its destination. We had to lay off the entire 10-person staff (including myself) three days before Christmas, unable to even pay the staff for the 2 weeks we had already worked. With all of this in mind, we still remain hopeful for a comeback sometime down the road. If you are interested, you can read our letter to the public here and an article in the New York Times to learn more on the situation.

I'm typically terrible at asking for help or support, even with small things. With this situation, I don't currently see a way through this without doing so. The universe threw this at me at a tricky time but I have to go for it. If you are able to contribute and help me realize this dream, I'd be forever grateful.

All of the funds raised here will be used to cover the deposit and tuition ($4750, half of which is due by Feb. 14), board (around $1200), travel ($1000), help prepare my portfolio for review and offset the time in which I could not work to earn for regular living expenses.

If you are interested in viewing the ongoing body of work that I hope to present, you can find that here.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is Todd Cooper - Art Director and Photographer currently based in Eugene, Oregon.