Since 2010, MuckRock has helped thousands of journalists, activists, researchers, and members of the public file over 25,000 public records requests with one goal: To make government more transparent and our democracy more informed.

It’s had an impact: Our multi-year private prisons project, spanning dozens of articles and thousands of pages of records, helped uncover how a tangled web of contractors, public companies, and desperate towns put profit over public safety and rehabilitation. Our investigation into the 1033 program found military gear flowing into local police departments across the country. Both areas have seen massive reform.

And that accountability helps reporters and researchers across the country do the kinds of journalism that matters. Over the past year:

• Social media surveillance company Geofeedia had its Twitter access revoked after requests filed through MuckRock showed surveillance targeting protesters.
• Investigative reporter David Sirota used MuckRock to show the revolving door between insurance companies and the regulators charged with overseeing them.
• MuckRock users Lucy Parsons Lab helped expose how a secret asset forfeiture fund in Chicago fueled widespread surveillance.
• Campaign Zero requested, published, and analyzed a collection of over a hundred police Use of Force policies from across the country.

And every week, hundreds more use MuckRock to keep government transparent and accountable.

This kind of work isn’t easy: Every day, our small team works with users to file, appeal, and publish government records that were previously secret. In 2016, we were sued three times.

Government secrecy has already been increasing, and as a single party takes the House, Senate, and Presidency, we are committed to making sure that these valuable tools continue to have an impact.

We want to share your success stories: If you’ve had a FOIA victory, with or without MuckRock, at the state, local, or national level, share it with us so we can spread the word. And if you’d like to help support transparency and accountability, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.

Thank you for your support in making government more transparent and our democracy more informed.

Image by Derek Kouyoumjian