Caterpillar
Risk Level:
Summary:
Caterpillar publicly canceled its charitable support for the Boy Scouts of America in 2013 over the organization's policy prohibiting gay men from serving in leadership positions. Caterpillar has not resumed support for the organization, despite policy and leadership changes. The company has provided donor support to Planned Parenthood in recent years. Caterpillar does not have viewpoint protections for employees. Caterpillar has not advocated for ideological causes besides issuing a broad statement on voter rights in light of proposed laws in various states but has not named any laws in particular it opposes. For these reasons, Caterpillar receives a Lower Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
Caterpillar has not publicly terminated business relationships due to viewpoints or beliefs. It has not canceled clients for political reasons.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Caterpillar’s gift-matching program does not discriminate against religious organizations (1). Caterpillar was one of the larger companies that stopped funding the Boy Scouts of America over an old policy that prohibited gay men from serving in leadership roles (2). Since the incident, a new CEO has been installed and the policy has been changed (3).
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Caterpillar does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Caterpillar has posted a brief public statement under the “Political Engagement” section of its website affirming its support for equal access to the right to vote in response to election security laws in various states (1). It has not otherwise engaged in political advocacy for ideological purposes.
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
Caterpillar provided donor support to Planned Parenthood through its charity trust/foundation in 2019 (1). It is unclear if Caterpillar is still donating to Planned Parenthood or other ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression.
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Caterpillar’s PAC donates in a bipartisan manner without ideological intent (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 23, 2023
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