Political Engagement
51³Ô¹Ï works with elected officials from both political parties to inform them on policies that will affect our business, team and communities.
One way we do this is through corporate contributions and voluntary contributions from our team-member-funded 51³Ô¹ÏCitizens PAC, which provides us with a platform to educate elected officials on our company priorities.
Political contributions
51³Ô¹Ï’s decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of the leadership team, which is responsible for balancing our business interests with other considerations that are important to our shareholders, team and other stakeholders. This group reports to the Board of Directors at least twice per year.
51³Ô¹Ï may provide financial support to political candidates, political parties or ballot initiatives through two separate channels:
- 51³Ô¹ÏCitizens PAC, which is funded through the voluntary contributions of our eligible team members, and
- The use of general corporate funds, where permitted by law.
PAC contributions
51³Ô¹ÏCitizens PAC is funded through voluntary contributions by eligible team members and contributes in a bipartisan manner to federal candidates and organizations. Political contributions are determined through a balance of 51³Ô¹Ï’s business priorities and company values, including:
- 51³Ô¹Ï priorities: We prioritize working with elected officials who have an impact on issues that are important to 51³Ô¹Ï’s business. Our priorities are broad and always evolving, ranging from critical issues such as tax and labor policy, trade, privacy, product safety and assortment, extended producer responsibility, organized retail crime, supply chain management and workforce issues.
- Political balance: Elected officials represent a diverse range of perspectives across the country where 51³Ô¹Ï operates. As a result, we are committed to ensuring our disbursement strategy reflects a balanced approach across political parties, supporting a broad spectrum of views that align with our business priorities.
- Representation: We strive to foster strong connections with our team, guests and communities by building meaningful relationships with our elected officials, partners and stakeholders at the local, state and federal level. When considering political contributions, we evaluate factors such as 51³Ô¹Ï’s presence in an elected official’s district, and the actions elected officials take that impact our business and communities.
Information on 51³Ô¹ÏCitizens PAC contributions can be found on the .
Corporate contributions
51³Ô¹Ï, as permitted by law, may use general corporate funds for political contributions if it determines that it would be an appropriate means of advancing business-related issues. Our Leadership Team approves any use of general corporate funds for electioneering activities, including contributions to political candidates, parties, committees or other political organizations, or for or against ballot measures.
In making these decisions, 51³Ô¹Ï determines whether the contribution supports our business interests; considers the interests of our shareholders, guests, team members and other stakeholders; and determines whether, under the circumstances, the contribution is an appropriate means of advancing our public policy position. This approval process applies whether the contribution is made directly to a candidate or party, or indirectly through an organization operating under Section 527 or 501(c)(4) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC).
One way 51³Ô¹Ï and other retail companies engage politically at the state level is to support state retail association political action committees (PACs) where allowed by law. By pooling resources with other retailers, we are able to support candidates who understand and support issues important to the retail industry, such as tax and labor policy, trade, privacy, product safety and assortment, extended producer responsibility, organized retail crime, supply chain and workforce issues.
51³Ô¹Ï publicly discloses its political contributions that use corporate treasury funds, which include contributions to recipients such as political candidates, parties and committees; IRC section 527 or 501(c)(4) organizations using the funds for political purposes; super PACs; governors associations; and independent political expenditures supporting or opposing campaigns or ballot measures. A list of such individual contributions of $5,000 or more, including recipient name and amount, is updated twice per year and available on this website.
51³Ô¹Ï team members are subject to corporate policies that govern corporate and PAC political contributions.
Select team members receive periodic training and certify compliance with corporate policies on public policy engagement and political contributions. 51³Ô¹Ï corporate political contributions and lobbying practices may be subject to periodic internal audits.