Public Information Access & Transparency

FOIA, Public Records & Government Accountability

The information you need to make informed decisions is often already public — you just need to know where to find it and how to request it. This workshop teaches you how to access public records, use FOIA, and hold institutions accountable through transparency.

See the Tiers

What You'll Learn

Three tiers that take you from understanding your right to public information to using advanced research techniques to access government records and hold institutions accountable.

Tier 1 — Intro

"It's Your Right to Know"

Public Information Access & Transparency

What public records are and why they matter — property, court, business, and government records
How to access free public records online: county databases, state portals, and federal systems
Understanding FOIA and your state's open records laws
Your first step: finding and using your local county recorder, clerk, and assessor websites

Includes: Public Records Access Guide & Free Resource Directory

Tier 2 — Intermediate

"Digging Deeper"

Public Information Access & Transparency

How to file a FOIA request — federal, state, and local processes
Using court records, business filings, and campaign finance data for research
How to verify information about businesses, nonprofits, and public officials
Tools for tracking government spending, contracts, and lobbying activity

Includes: FOIA Request Template Kit & Research Methodology Guide

Tier 3 — Advanced

"Holding Power Accountable"

Public Information Access & Transparency

Advanced FOIA strategies: appeals, fee waivers, and expedited processing
How to analyze government data and documents for patterns and anomalies
Building a community transparency initiative — sharing findings and organizing
Protecting yourself legally when requesting and publishing public information

Includes: Advanced Research Toolkit & Community Transparency Action Plan

Who This Workshop Is For

Anyone who believes in government accountability and wants to access the information that's already theirs by right. Especially valuable for journalists, community organizers, concerned citizens, small business owners researching competitors or partners, and anyone who wants to verify claims made by institutions or officials.