Search
 

Political-Giving Feedback

Indexes examine disclosures on corporate political contributions.

By John Mulqueen | Updated on November 01, 2011
The issue of corporate political contributions has drawn a lot of attention since 2010, when the Supreme Court opened the way for secret political contributions by companies and unions. Shareholder groups are pressing businesses to disclose what they give and warning of the risks involved in making contributions, including damage to corporate reputations, extortion and waste of corporate assets. The response from companies has been mixed. Now two organizations have made an effort to assess how much corporations are revealing about such contributions. An index from Baruch College in New York rates S&P 100 companies on the extent of their disclosures and their policies regarding contributions.

The Baruch index shows 22% of S&P 100 companies disclose little or no information about political expenditures, with the companies that give the most disclosing less than others.

The Center for Political Accountability (CPA) put together another index of S&P 100 companies in conjunction with the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics at the Wharton School. That index shows that one-third have some limits on corporate political spending, and almost one in four are not contributing directly to political campaigns. Fifty-seven of the companies disclose direct corporate political spending and have adopted board oversight, the CPA says.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited Treasury & Risk content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Recommended Stories

Treasury & Risk

Join Treasury & Risk

Don’t miss crucial treasury and finance news along with in-depth analysis and insights you need to make informed treasury decisions. Join Treasury & Risk now!

  • Free unlimited access to Treasury & Risk including case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM publications including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Treasury & Risk

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.