the foia fund

The Freedom of Information Act allows us — journalists, and you, too — to request information from government agencies and officials. It's public information, and it belongs to you.

However, both the federal and Michigan FOIA laws allow those government agencies and officials to charge us in order to get the records we're seeking. And sometimes, those fees can be hefty.

Want to know the current record for a cost estimate on a single records request made by NowKalamazoo? When we asked a certain entity for emails among its leadership about the firing of a finance official, they wanted more than $12,000 to sort through the records. It's possible to appeal the fee amount a government body wants to charge, but this requires attorneys and comes with its own cost.

Good journalism and holding public bodies accountable is expensive, but with your help we can keep government transparent.

The Local Journalism Foundation is establishing this FOIA Fund to help defray the costs of seeking information and records that are in the public interest. The fees demanded by public entities should not be the obstacle in bringing important facts or data into the sunshine.

Any journalist or resident in Kalamazoo County petitioning an agency in Kalamazoo County may apply for support from the The LJF FOIA Fund. Applications are reviewed by the board of The Local Journalism Foundation on a per-submission basis.

To discuss a FOIA request and assistance from the FOIA Fund, please use the submission form below.

donate to support the FOIA Fund

The Local Journalism Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 public charity, tax ID 93-2232138. (IRS Determination Letter)

Mail: 315 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007

Apply for FOIA Fund assistance

Whether you’re a working journalist or a concerned citizen, if you’re based in Kalamazoo County and petitioning a government body in Kalamazoo County for information or public records, you are eligible for support from The LJF FOIA Fund.

Not all agencies and not all records or data are subject to FOIA law.

FOIA projects are considered on a case-by-case basis. Not all requests will be granted. Submit the information below, and LJF representatives will get in touch to discuss. All submissions are confidential.