Use this tab for tips on how

An example of such a group might be a private, non-profit shelter for troubled teenagers. Virtually all of their funding may come from one or another government agency charged with assisting this population. Should their records (budgets, operating policies, etc.) be FOIAable?

This is an emerging area of interest in FOIA-land. Please add links to any newspaper articles you run across that pertain to this subject, or court decisions. Or write a brilliant article about it.

"In Iowa and most other states, the financial details of those partnerships are often shrouded in secrecy, despite the involvement of public universities that rely on taxpayers to provide a substantial portion of their operating revenues." read more here...

A Tennessee court recently ruled that a company hired to operate several detention facilities is subject to the state's open records law.

Chris Joyner at the Clarion-Ledger in Mississippi weighs in with Exposed Privates.

Rani Gupta's Privatization vs. The Public's Right to Know is a special report from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. This report has been described as revealing "how government at every level is using farming out work to private sector companies that claim not to be governed by open records law."

Harry Hammitt authored Privatization: Its Impact on Public Record Access on behalf of the National Freedom of Information Council on this subject.

The West Virginia Charleston Gazette covers such a situation in this article from May 4, 2007.

A court in Georgia will decide whether two private non-profits are FOIAable under Georgia's open records law. At issue is the fact that they are collaborating with the city of Atlanta on a controversial parking garage. September, 11 2007. UPDATE: the judge ruled in favor of open records! Read more here: Piedmont Park Conservancy must release deck documents. September 12, 2007
Follow the case at www.friendsofpiedmontpark.org , including the effort by one of the defendants which is withholding documents to get hundreds of thousands of dollars of legal fees from the people seeking public disclosure.

This article is from the Hartford Business Journal regarding a situation in Connecticut on May 14, 2007 Contractors Working To Keep Trade Info From Public
This is a follow up opinion column to the Hartford's earlier article: Make HMO's Comply 10/28/07.

Heath Haussamen offers his opinions and history of this issue in New Mexico here.

Here is an on-going issue on this subject in Tennessee: RMCH refuses info on buyout

Roddy Stinson: In wake of lawsuit, PEC officials continue their deafening silence

Association To Reconsider Following Freedom Of Information Act

Property data case heading to high court

The state is funding Mississippi's wind pool to the tune of $20 million a year for four years, but that hasn't stopped the pool's board and law firm from refusing to open the agency's records to the public. Read the full article here.

Humane Society not accountable under records act in California.

Tontitown, Engineers At Odds Over Documents, Arkansas, 12/09/07

January 30, 2008: Details of Sprint, schools contract still not revealed

April 22, 2008: In Ohio, Court sees need for public oversight of private enterprises funded publicly.

April 30, 2008: Student seeks bookstore transparency Ed Ober requests documents that disclose Hornet Bookstore's markup on textbooks.

May 1, 2008: In Washington, Court rules Tri-City Animal Control acts as public agency

May 16, 2008: Cultural Council contract fails on accountability

May 28, 2008: Johnson Utilities must release public records

August 5, 2008: Commissioners, Rowan Jobs Initiative at odds over records

August 8, 2008: J&C's request for more detailed records denied

August 16, 2008: Jobs group will show records; officials want to see how county funds were spent

October 2, 2008: BRIDGE COMMISSION: County lawmakers getting in on the act