The Recorder Receives $40K New York Community Trust Grant

The Recorder, the new independent, nonprofit newspaper covering the New York towns of Bedford, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge and the Village of Mount Kisco and environs, has been awarded a $40,000 grant from The New York Community Trust – Westchester to increase access to credible news coverage on environmental and affordable housing issues in Northern Westchester, marking a strategic expansion of its original local journalism mission.

The two-year grant will enable The Recorder to better inform readers on local conservation and preservation efforts, land use regulations, water and air quality, climate mitigation measures and other sustainability issues; and inform readers on affordable housing issues, including local zoning policies and other legislation at the municipal, county and state levels affecting housing development, proposed new affordable housing developments, and the human impact of housing insecurity. The grant will also enable The Recorder to partner with community organizations on events related to environmental issues and affordable housing.

“This investment from The New York Community Trust will allow us to significantly scale our coverage of environmental and housing issues at a critical time for local news in Westchester,” said Ed Baum, editorial director, The Recorder. “We have been covering these areas as a matter of major importance to our readers and area residents, and these additional resources will help us better serve the community and elevate the public dialogue around these topics”.

“Our Westchester Advisory Board believes a well-informed public is crucial for informing and understanding important local environmental and housing public policy issues,” said Laura Rossi, Vice President, Westchester, of The New York Community Trust. “Ongoing, in-depth coverage of such issues can help improve civic engagement by our residents and businesses”.

The New York Community Trust is New York’s largest community foundation, serving New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. For more than 100 years, The Trust has brought together the local knowledge and diverse expertise of its team and nonprofit and philanthropic partners to support thriving and equitable communities and help donors champion the causes they love. The Trust makes approximately $200 million in grants each year from its charitable funds set up by individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.

Established in 2024, The Recorder News, Inc. publishes a weekly print newspaper and companion website connecting residents, civic organizations and businesses in a sizable portion of Northern Westchester with a combined population of approximately 28,000. The Recorder is funded by grants, tax-deductible contributions,annual paid subscriptions and advertising revenues. Additional information about The Recorder can be found at https://www.therecorder.org/welcome, https://www.instagram.com/therecordernewspaper/ and https://www.facebook.com/RecorderNewspaper. The Recorder 's news team can be reached at editor@therecorder.org.