Public records laws are the foundation of government transparency. This page explains how NonProfit Media uses FOIA and state sunshine laws to obtain documents, how we handle records we receive, and how members of the public can request records from us.
NonProfit Media files hundreds of public records requests annually to hold government and corporate power accountable. We believe in radical transparency: when we obtain public records through FOIA or state sunshine laws, we publish them in full (with redactions only for personal privacy or national security) so the public can verify our reporting.
We also hold ourselves to the same transparency standards we demand of government: we disclose our funding, methodology, and potential conflicts of interest.
Provides public access to federal agency records. Agencies must respond within 20 business days (often extended). Nine exemptions allow withholding of classified, confidential, or sensitive records.
Each state has its own public records law with different exemptions, timelines, and fee structures. Some states (e.g., Florida) have strong sunshine laws; others are more restrictive.
Most court filings are public unless sealed by court order. Federal courts use PACER (paid access); state court systems vary. Sealing orders are increasingly common in corporate litigation.
Publicly traded companies must file quarterly and annual reports (10-Q, 10-K) with the SEC. State corporate registries provide basic business information. Privately held companies have minimal disclosure requirements.
Filing a public records request is straightforward in theory, but often frustrating in practice. Here's the typical process:
Determine which agency or entity holds the record. Be as specific as possible — vague requests are more likely to be denied or delayed.
Submit a written request citing the applicable law (FOIA, state public records act). Include: specific description of records, date range, preferred format, and contact information.
Agencies must acknowledge receipt and provide an estimated response date. Federal FOIA: 20 business days. State laws vary. Delays are common.
If records are denied or heavily redacted, file an administrative appeal citing the public interest. If the appeal fails, litigation may be necessary.
Agencies can charge for search, review, and duplication. News organizations often qualify for fee waivers. Fees can range from $0 to thousands of dollars.
Review records for completeness and accuracy. Redactions should be justified by specific exemptions. Follow up if records are incomplete.
Public records laws are only as strong as their enforcement. In practice, agencies routinely delay, deny, or over-redact records. Here are the most common obstacles:
Agencies routinely miss statutory deadlines. Federal FOIA backlogs exceed 200,000 requests. Some requests take years to fulfill.
Agencies charge for search and review time, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars. Fee waivers are inconsistently granted.
Agencies often redact more than legally required, citing vague exemptions. Challenging redactions requires appeals or litigation.
When agencies deny requests, litigation is the only remedy — but it's expensive and time-consuming. Most news organizations cannot afford it.
Based on our experience filing thousands of requests, here's what works:
As a nonprofit news organization, we are not subject to FOIA or state public records laws. However, we voluntarily disclose the following information upon request:
IRS Form 990 (annual tax filings), audited financial statements, and major donor disclosures (donors over $5,000)
All editorial policies, ethics guidelines, corrections policies, and source protection protocols
Complete list of institutional funders, foundation grants, and major individual donors
Staff financial disclosures, board member affiliations, and potential conflicts
We do not disclose: confidential source identities, unpublished reporting materials, internal editorial deliberations, or donor information for donors under $5,000 (to protect small-donor privacy).
To request records from NonProfit Media, email: [email protected]
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press: Free legal resources and FOIA guides — rcfp.org
MuckRock: Collaborative FOIA platform — muckrock.com
National Freedom of Information Coalition: State-by-state FOI resources — nfoic.org
For information about our use of AI tools in journalism, see our AI Transparency Policy.