About Us
Who We Are
The Overseas Press Club of America is the nation’s oldest and largest association of journalists engaged in international news. Every year, it awards the most prestigious prizes devoted exclusively to international news coverage. It was founded in 1939 by nine foreign correspondents in New York City, and has grown to nearly 400 members worldwide. The club’s mission is to uphold the highest standards in news reporting, advance press freedom and promote good fellowship among colleagues while educating a new generation of journalists.
Address: 40 West 45th St, New York, NY 10036
OPC President, Scott Kraft
OPC Executive Director, Patricia Kranz
OPC Website Manager and Social Media Editor, Chad Bouchard
OPC Foundation President, William J. Holstein
OPC Foundation Executive Director, Jane Reilly
Meet Our Board Members
Watch a short introductory video about the club’s activities and mission, with testimonials and clips from past events:
OPC activities include:
Freelancer Support
The OPC provided emergency grants to almost 50 freelance members suffering financially from the COVID pandemic and offers subsidies to help freelancers pay dues and entry fees for the annual awards competition.
Networking
The OPC’s website and weekly digital Bulletin keep foreign correspondents around the world connected with colleagues and up to date on press freedom issues and club activities. The website’s resources page lists links to services offered by other organizations that support international journalists and press freedom.
Services
The OPC offers free wallet-sized photo IDs to working journalists. A large, government-sized photo ID is available for a nominal fee. OPC Connect, a closed Facebook group open exclusively to OPC members, allows members to make pitches to assignment editors, photo editors and top editors of major news organizations. Coming in 2021: Digital Membership Directory that will make it easier for members to contact each other directly.
Programs
Panel discussions and video chats on current international events, book nights with authors, international film previews and in-person or Zoom happy hours.
Safety Training
The OPC has funded safety training for journalists covering hostile environments and civil unrest. The OPC website hosts a training archive including videos of programs hosted in New York City and links to organizations that provide insurance for journalists. Discounts for some policies are available through the club’s sister organization, ACOS.
Awards
Following intense competition, the club presents 22 awards for coverage of international news. Each year, a special President’s Award goes to one journalist to honor distinguished service in the field of journalism. The OPC website maintains an archive of online video chats with award winners and judges.
Scholarships
The OPC Foundation bestows 15 scholarships or fellowships every year for graduate and undergraduate students studying at American colleges and universities, or Americans studying abroad, who aspire to become foreign correspondents. Check for deadlines and more information at overseaspressclubfoundation.org.
International Relationships
The OPC has reciprocal relationships with about 40 press clubs around the globe. Members can also receive special privileges at Club Quarters hotels.