Isabella Carter
Target has a history of engaging in political activities and contributing to political candidates, parties, or ballot initiatives. The company works with elected officials from all parties to inform them of policies affecting its long-term business health and stakeholders. Target's decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of its leadership team, which balances business interests with other considerations. The company publicly discloses its political contributions, including those to candidates, parties, committees, and independent expenditures. Target has faced scrutiny for its political donations and, in 2022, paused all political donations to assess its political giving policies. The company has also faced backlash for its rollback of DEI initiatives, which contradicted its previous progressive reputation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Political engagement | Works with elected officials from all political parties |
| Informs them on policies that will affect the long-term health of the business and stakeholders | |
| Supports state retail association political action committees (PACs) | |
| Supports candidates who understand and support issues important to the retail industry | |
| Publicly discloses its political contributions that use corporate treasury funds | |
| Supports the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power | |
| Opposes any actions that create barriers to voting | |
| Supports diversity and inclusion | |
| Supports LGBTQ issues | |
| Supports DEI programs | |
| Supports smaller stores in cities and near college campuses | |
| Political contributions | Provides financial support to political candidates, political parties or ballot initiatives through two separate channels: TargetCitizens PAC and corporate funds |
| Has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle | |
| Contributed at least $146,000 to members of Congress who did not support the formation of a January 6 commission |
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What You'll Learn
Target's support for democratic processes
Target has expressed its support for democratic processes and has encouraged its team members and guests to exercise their democratic rights. The company believes that the right to vote is foundational to democracy and that elections should be conducted in a transparent, fair, and secure manner. Target has also stated that it opposes any actions that create barriers to voting.
In line with this, Target has a history of encouraging its guests and team members to vote, including partnering with organizations like Time to Vote and Civic Alliance and providing paid time off for team members to vote and/or serve as election judges. The company also emphasizes the importance of respecting the civic process and maintaining the integrity of elections. Target's CEO, Brian Cornell, is a member of the Business Roundtable, which released a statement condemning the January 6 Capitol attack and expressing support for the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power.
Target engages politically at the state level by supporting state retail association political action committees (PACs) where permitted by law. By collaborating with other retailers, Target can support candidates who understand and advocate for issues important to the retail industry, such as tax, trade, privacy, sustainability, retail theft, supply chain, and workforce matters. Target discloses its political contributions made with corporate treasury funds, including contributions to political candidates, parties, committees, and organizations using funds for political purposes.
Target's decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of its leadership team, which considers the interests of the company, team members, guests, shareholders, and other stakeholders. The company may provide financial support to political candidates, parties, or ballot initiatives through two channels: TargetCitizens PAC, funded by voluntary team member contributions, and corporate funds for advancing issues important to Target's business. Target's Leadership Team approves the use of corporate funds for electioneering activities, ensuring alignment with the company's business interests and values.
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Target's financial support of political activities
Target engages in political activities through financial contributions to political candidates, parties, committees, or organisations. Target's decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of the leadership team, which balances the company's business interests with the interests of team members, guests, shareholders, and other stakeholders.
Target may provide financial support through two separate channels: TargetCitizens PAC and corporate funds. TargetCitizens PAC is funded by voluntary contributions from eligible team members, while the use of corporate funds for political contributions is determined by the leadership team. Target publicly discloses its political contributions using corporate treasury funds, with a list of individual contributions of $5,000 or more updated twice per year on its website.
When considering political contributions, Target takes into account an elected official's actions in support of diversity and inclusion, as well as their respect for the democratic election process. Target encourages its team members and guests to exercise their democratic rights and values the integrity of elections.
In recent years, Target has faced scrutiny and backlash from investors and customers regarding its political donations and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) policies. Following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Target, along with several other corporations, temporarily paused all political donations to assess their political giving policies. Target's CEO, Brian Cornell, is a member of the Business Roundtable, which released a statement condemning the violence and expressing support for the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power.
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Target's stance on diversity and inclusion
Target has publicly stated that it is an inclusive organisation that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The company stands against hate in all forms and is committed to championing a more inclusive society. Target also encourages its team members and guests to exercise their democratic rights and participate in civic engagement.
When it comes to political contributions, Target considers an elected official's actions in support of diversity and inclusion. The company works with officials from all political parties and provides financial support through two separate channels: TargetCitizens PAC, funded by voluntary contributions from team members, and corporate funds, which are approved by the Leadership Team.
Target has faced criticism and backlash from customers, civil rights activists, and even the heirs to one of its founders, for its rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Target was a leading advocate for DEI programs after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and built a reputation as a progressive employer on LGBTQ+ issues. The company publicly supported gay marriage before it was federally legalised and was one of the first national retailers to allow transgender employees and customers to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identities. However, their recent decision to retreat on DEI initiatives has been described as "arbitrary" and "inauthentic," leading to protests outside their headquarters and a decrease in foot traffic to their stores.
Additionally, following the January 6 Capitol attack, Target, along with other corporations, temporarily paused all political donations to assess their political giving policies. They released a statement through the Business Roundtable, expressing support for the democratic process and condemning the violence and the perpetuation of a fraudulent 2020 presidential election narrative.
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Target's political donations
Target engages with elected officials from all political parties to inform them about policies that may affect the long-term health of its business and stakeholders. The company may provide financial support to political candidates, parties, or ballot initiatives through two channels: TargetCitizens PAC and corporate funds. TargetCitizens PAC is funded by voluntary contributions from team members, while the use of corporate funds must be approved by the leadership team.
Target's decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of the leadership team, which balances the company's business interests with the interests of team members, guests, communities, shareholders, and other stakeholders. The group reports to the Board of Directors at least twice per year. In determining whether to provide financial support, Target considers a candidate's respect for the democratic process and their support for diversity and inclusion.
Target publicly discloses its political contributions that use corporate treasury funds, which include contributions to political candidates, parties, committees, and organizations using funds for political purposes. A list of individual contributions of $5,000 or more is updated twice per year and available on Target's website.
Target's CEO, Brian Cornell, is a member of the Business Roundtable, which released a statement condemning the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and the perpetuation of the fiction of a fraudulent 2020 presidential election. Following these events, Target temporarily paused all political donations to assess its political giving policies.
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Target's reputation as a progressive employer
Target has a reputation for being a progressive employer, with a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice. The company has stated that it values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and stands against hate in all forms. In the past, Target has made efforts to promote racial equity and diversity within its workforce and supply chain. For instance, the company previously had a racial equity committee and minority hiring pledges, and made financial commitments to Black-owned suppliers. Target has also expressed support for LGBTQ+ rights, featuring Pride Month merchandise collections.
However, Target's reputation as a progressive employer has been called into question in recent years. In 2023, the company faced a right-wing pressure campaign over its Pride Month collection, which included a "tuck-friendly" swimsuit. Target removed the items that caused the most "volatile" reactions, citing concerns for its workers' safety. This decision was met with backlash, as some supporters of LGBTQ+ rights felt that the company had caved to bigoted pressure.
Additionally, days into the Trump presidency, Target announced it was eliminating its hiring goals for minority employees and ending its executive committee focused on racial justice, among other changes to its diversity initiatives. The company stated that it remained committed to inclusivity and that it was introducing a new strategy called "Belonging at the Bullseye."
Target has also been criticized for its political engagement and financial contributions to political candidates, parties, and committees. The company has stated that it works with elected officials from all political parties and provides financial support through corporate contributions and its team-member-funded TargetCitizens PAC. However, some have argued that Target's political contributions do not align with its purported progressive values.
Despite these controversies, Target continues to emphasize its commitment to its employees and communities. The company has stated that it invests in its people, focuses on their development, and creates opportunities for them to reach their fullest potential. Target also emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement, both for individual growth and for the success of its business.
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Frequently asked questions
Target works with elected officials from all political parties and provides financial support to political candidates, political parties or ballot initiatives through two separate channels: TargetCitizens PAC, which is funded through voluntary contributions from team members, and corporate funds, which are approved by the Leadership Team.
Target's decision-making body for financial support of political activities is a subset of the leadership team, which is responsible for balancing the company's business interests with the interests of team members, guests, communities, shareholders and other stakeholders. When considering political contributions, Target takes into account an elected official's actions in support of diversity and inclusion, as well as their respect for the democratic election process.
Following the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, Target temporarily paused all political donations to assess their political giving policies. This was in response to the Republican push to pass restrictive voting laws that disproportionately affect racial minorities, and the company's stated support for the democratic process and the peaceful transition of power.
