The Overlook raised $60,000 at a fundraising event on Aug. 6, including a $25,000 matching gift from the Lenfest Institute for Journalism to support the digital nonprofit news outlet’s general operations.
Jim Friedlich, the institute’s chief executive, announced the gift during the event. The challenge required other donors to contribute at least an equal amount. Their contributions surpassed that threshold, bringing the total raised to $60,000.
“We work with close to 200 local news organizations around the country, and The Overlook is among the most promising,” Friedlich said. “The Overlook’s strong leadership, its unique and important location, and your superb journalism are each extraordinarily impressive.”
The Lenfest Institute is a national nonprofit organization that supports sustainable models for local journalism and is the primary philanthropic funder of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“This generous gift from Lenfest comes at an exciting time for The Overlook,” said Scott Widmeyer, the news outlet’s co-founder and board president. “Their $25,000 contribution helps us build on our momentum and move our vision forward. We are grateful for their belief in our work and their commitment to the many ways we are making a difference in the communities we serve in the Catskills.”
Widmeyer also credited the hundreds of individual readers whose donations support the organization.
“With continued support from donors on all levels, The Overlook and our nonprofit model of civic journalism can continue to grow,” he said. “Community by community, I believe this model can be a change agent in offering solutions, bringing people together, and instilling accountability across the board.”
Jacqueline Kellachan, The Overlook’s co-founder and board secretary, also welcomed the support.
“We are incredibly grateful to Jim Friedlich and the Lenfest Institute for this generous $25,000 investment in The Overlook,” Kellachan said. “It means so much to have the support of an organization that so deeply believes, as we do, in the importance of strong, independent local journalism.”
The Overlook also announced that Samantha “Sam” Taylor has joined its managing board and Zoeann Murphy has joined its advisory committee.
Taylor, a Bearsville resident, has more than 20 years of international experience in fundraising, nonprofit leadership, strategic partnerships, and communications. She is vice president of development and partnerships at Terraformation, where she works to advance native forest restoration efforts focused on climate, biodiversity, and communities. She began her career at The Press Association in London.
Taylor also founded Reputation Dynamics in 2005 to advise nonprofits, individuals, and private-sector organizations on fundraising, partnerships, and social initiatives. She previously assisted the Woodstock Library Board of Trustees with capital strategy and fundraising for its proposed new public library.
“Independent local journalism has a unique power to inform, inspire, and connect communities,” Taylor said. “The Overlook News is a vital new voice for the Catskills when reliable local reporting matters most. I am thrilled to join the board and leverage my development experience to support long-term growth and sustainability.”
Murphy, an Olive resident, is an Emmy Award-winning video reporter and professor of visual journalism. Her recent reporting has covered the Israel-Gaza war, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, global migration, and the climate crisis.
She was part of The Washington Post team awarded the Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Her work has also been recognized by World Press Photo, the National Press Foundation, and the Edward R. Murrow Awards.
“It’s very exciting to join the Overlook Advisory Committee,” Murphy said. “The news media ecosystem is rapidly changing, and news deserts are spreading across America. So, it’s incredibly inspiring to see the Catskills community come together and respond to these challenging times by creating The Overlook. This hyperlocal newsroom delivers high-quality journalism that connects towns and supports civic engagement here in our beloved mountain region. I’m honored to be part of it.”
