Outrider Foundation Announces Fellowship in Partnership with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Fund for Lake Michigan, and Journalism Funding Partners. 

Misc.AllPress Release
Written By Marc Fiol | Communications & Administrative Coordinator

Posting: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

This press release comes to JFP through a reporting partnership with Outrider Foundation and USA TODAY

Outrider Foundation is pleased to announce its newest fellow: Caitlin Looby, Great Lakes and Environmental Reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Looby has provided Journal Sentinel readers with in-depth coverage of environmental issues in the Great Lakes region since 2022.

The new fellowship is a collaboration between Outrider, the Fund for Lake Michigan, and Journalism Funding Partners.

Looby holds a bachelor's degree in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Connecticut, a master's in biotechnology from Kean University, and a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of California, Irvine. 

"We are very grateful for this valued collaboration that strengthens our ability to deliver the strongest local environmental reporting in the region,” said Greg Borowski, executive editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “This like-minded group is passionate about raising awareness on climate change and threats to our air, land, and water in and around the place we call home.”

Caitlin Looby | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Outrider Foundation is a non-political, nonpartisan 501c3 organization that informs the public about nuclear security threats and climate issues with educational programs, reporter training, and journalism fellowships.

“We're excited to welcome Caitlin Looby as an Outrider Fellow and to be part of the Wisconsin-based collaboration to continue our commitment to climate reporting at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel," said David Vitse, Chief Climate Officer at the Outrider Foundation. "Caitlin has been a vital resource for the community, and we look forward to more of her enterprising work.”

Support from the Fund for Lake Michigan and Journalism Funding Partners will also advance environmental coverage in and around Milwaukee.

“We’re proud to support the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s award-winning newsroom,” says Vicki Elkin, executive director of the Fund for Lake Michigan. “With the Great Lakes facing complex challenges, Caitlin Looby’s in-depth reporting brings urgent issues to light and inspires action to protect the lakes for future generations.”

“Journalism Funding Partners is thrilled to connect mission-driven funders such as Outrider Foundation and the Fund for Lake Michigan with various news organizations to raise awareness on issues affecting our communities,” said Rusty Coats, Executive Director at JFP. “The impact of collaboration among grant makers to power local news and information will directly benefit the residents of Milwaukee, those in the Great Lakes region beyond.”

Caitlin Looby is the 13th journalist named to Outrider’s fellowship program, including partnerships with The New York Times, Bloomberg Green, TIME magazine, The Guardian US, and the public radio program Science Friday.

About Outrider Foundation: Outrider Foundation supports journalism and multimedia storytelling about nuclear threats and climate change. The foundation partners with creators, thought leaders, and news organizations to explain how smart policy can sustain a safe and livable planet.

About USA TODAY: Since its introduction in 1982, USA TODAY has been a cornerstone of the national media landscape under its recognizable and respected brand. It also serves as the foundation for our newsroom network, which allows for content sharing capabilities across our local and national markets. Through USA TODAY, we deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Across our digital platforms we reach an audience of approximately 79 million unique visitors each month (based on December 2023 ComScore Media Metrix®).

About JFP: Journalism Funding Partners is a 501(c) (3) organization with a mission of strengthening the depth, diversity and sustainability of local news by building and shepherding relationships between funders and local news organizations. JFP manages the funds feeding numerous news initiatives, including more than a dozen Climate reporters in the Southeast, an Equity Desk

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Marc Fiol | Communications & Administrative Coordinator

Marc Fiol is the Communications and Administrative Coordinator at Journalism Funding Partners. His role consists of helping grow the awareness and Impact of JFP’s work by increasing the depth, diversity and sustainability of local news.

He graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising in 2020. Previously, he interned for the local newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator, in Gainesville, Florida before officially joining the team as an account executive selling advertising space to local organizations. In addition to working with the Alligator, he also worked with their in-house advertising agency, SparkIt Creative, as their Content Developer designing advertisements for their many business accounts.

He is a Florida native, being born and raised in Miami, Florida, and values creativity, honesty and hard work. When he’s not working, he enjoys designing websites and apps, along with playing his guitar at home.

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