ON new year, exciting future

There are several exciting updates for The Owen News as we ring in the new year.

In November, we announced that we would begin to offer memberships to have the paper mailed directly to the homes of those who signed up. Because it was in conjunction with our end-of-year giving campaign, NewsMatch, anyone who signed up between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 had their contribution included in the match. In addition, new monthly recurring donations were matched for the entire year.

NewsMatch Campaign Results

The Owen News is happy to announce that we've not only met but exceeded our campaign goal. Our goal was to raise $15,000 with at least 50 new donors.

"This newspaper exists because of our community rallying together, and our inaugural NewsMatch campaign is no different," Board President Nicole DeCriscio said. "We're incredibly thankful for our community's generosity and support of local news. We're able to be a pioneer in the way of rural nonprofit news in Indiana because of our community."

December's newspaper was mailed out thanks to The Owen County Community Foundation (OCCF).

Additional Grant Support From OCCF

In addition to a successful NewsMatch campaign, OCCF has awarded The Owen News a multi-year $300,000 operational grant. OCCF will grant The Owen News $150,000 for 2025, $100,000 for 2026 and $50,000 for 2027, as we move toward sustainability.

"Through surveys, focus groups and community listening sessions, the Community Foundation discovered that residents overwhelmingly identified the lack of an objective and trustworthy source of local news and information as the greatest need in Owen County. The all-volunteer board and staff of The Owen News have done a wonderful job; but we know that they need paid staff to take the paper to the next level. Thanks to our generous donors, the Foundation was able to provide funds to make this happen," said Janet Rummel, OCCF President & CEO.

"This level of support from a community foundation isn't common in the nonprofit news world, and words cannot express how thankful we are that OCCF is dedicated to seeing The Owen News succeed," DeCriscio said. "While we had an extremely successful NewsMatch campaign, the financial jump to having paid staff would not be possible without OCCF."

The grant agreement provides that OCCF shall be able to appoint one board member to The Owen News Board. The Owen News retains all editorial control and independence.

Hiring Staff

As a result of the additional support from OCCF and the successful NewsMatch campaign, The Owen News is pleased to announce that DeCriscio has been hired as the inaugural Executive Editor to oversee The Owen News full-time.

DeCriscio has served as Board President since The Owen News' creation in July 2022. She will remain on the board but not in the role of Board President.

"I'm thankful that I get to do what I love in a community that I love. I fell in love with Owen County when I worked for The Spencer Evening World, and I'm constantly finding new things to love about this community," DeCriscio said.

DeCriscio will manage the day-to-day operations and lead the editorial coverage for The Owen News. She will start Jan. 13.

In addition to hiring DeCriscio full-time, Ad Sales Consultant Lola Garrison has been promoted to serve as the part-time Advertising and Business Manager, starting Jan. 6.