Political Contributions – Page 3 – Trillium Asset Management

Disclosure of Direct and Indirect Political Spending- Ford Motor – (2012)

January 11, 2012

Resolved, that the shareholders of Ford Motor (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, and used in any attempt to influence the general public, or segments thereof, with respect to elections or referenda. The report shall include: a. An accounting through an itemized report that …

Lobbying Disclosure – UnitedHealth Group (2012)

January 11, 2012

Resolved: Shareholders of UnitedHealth Group (“UNH” or the “Company”) request that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) authorize the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing: 1. Company policy and procedures governing the lobbying of legislators and regulators, including that done on the Company’s behalf by trade organizations. The disclosure should include both direct and indirect lobbying and grassroots lobbying communications. 2. A listing of payments (both direct and indirect, including payments to trade organizations) used for direct lobbying as well as grassroots lobbying communications, including the amount of the payment and the recipient. 3. Membership in and payments to …

Disclosure of Direct and Indirect Political Spending -State Street Corp (2012)

December 21, 2011

Resolved, that the shareholders of State Street Corporation (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, and used in any attempt to influence the general public, or segments thereof, with respect to elections or referenda. The report shall include: a. An accounting through an itemized report …

Prohibit Political Spending From Corporate Treasury Funds – 3M (2012)

December 19, 2011

WHEREAS: Political spending and corporate money in politics is a highly contentious issue, made more prominent in light of the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court case that affirmed companies’ rights to make unlimited political expenditures to independent groups. In the 2012 election year, we expect even more media and public attention to corporate spending to influence elections. Experts predict that an unprecedented amount of money will be spent in the 2012 election season. Recent polls highlight the public’s disapproval. In a June 2010 Harris poll, 85% of voters said that corporations “have too much influence over the political system today….” …

Procter & Gamble – Political Contributions (2012)

October 3, 2011

RESOLVED that the shareholders of Procter & Gamble (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s: Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds. Monetary and non-monetary political contributions and expenditures not deductible under section 162 (e)(1)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code, including but not limited to contributions to or expenditures on behalf of political candidates, political parties, political committees and other political entities organized and operating under 26 USC Sec. 527 of the Internal Revenue Code and any portion of any dues or similar payments …

Seasonal Wrap-up: Trillium's 2011 Engagement Highlights

September 13, 2011

Trillium Asset Management, LLC, a Boston-based pioneer in the field of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, reported out today on the results of its 2011 proxy season engagements with nearly two dozen major U.S. corporations. (For a full listing of our 2011 Shareholder Proposals, scroll to the end of the page.) “A good portion of our dialogues and resolutions resulted in agreements with companies to improve policies and provide more transparency,” said Matthew Patsky, CEO of Trillium. “Both are helpful in assessing the environmental, social and governance risks and their financial impact on shareholders.” Trillium’s ESG program addressed a …

Still “Impactful” After All These Years

June 24, 2011

Jonas Kron, JD In the Winter 2011 issue of Investing For A Better World, our colleague Farnum Brown described shareholder advocacy as version 2.0 on SRI’s (socially responsible investment’s) travels towards 3.0, and discussed the importance of directly pressing companies to improve their environmental and social impacts. Similarly, Amy Domini of Domini Social Investments recently wrote passionately in the Huffington Post about the importance of shareholder advocacy as a meaningful way for investors to have a positive impact on the world. Both pieces touched upon the ongoing debate about what to call our field. What was once “socially responsible” or …

"Target changes political donations policy after controversy"

February 19, 2011

The LA Times reported on Target’s recent change to it’s political donations policy, coming after the nationwide controversy that erupted following last summer’s contributions to MN Forward, an independent political committee that funneled money to a gubernatorial candidate known for his extreme opposition to lesbian and gay civil rights. Led by Trillium and Walden, 21 investors sponsored a shareholder resolution at Target urging the Board to institute a comprehensive review of Target’s political contributions, including criteria for donations to candidates and how such donations might have a negative impact on Target’s reputation. “This is at least one more company going on …

Target & Best Buy Announce New Policies on Political Spending

February 18, 2011

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) and Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) have revised their policies on political spending in the aftermath of the nationwide controversy that erupted following last summer’s contributions to MN Forward, an independent political committee that funneled money to a gubernatorial candidate known for his extreme opposition to lesbian and gay civil rights. The new policies culminate months of review by both companies. Target and Best Buy made contributions of $150,000 and $100,000, respectively, to MN Forward. After the contributions were disclosed in state filings, Target in particular drew the ire of retail consumers, gay rights organizations, and those …

Ford Motor Company – Political Contributions (2011)

January 13, 2011

RESOLVED The shareholders of Ford Motor (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s: Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, and used in any attempt to influence the general public, or segments thereof, with respect to elections or referenda. The report shall include: An accounting through an itemized report that includes the identity of the …