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Press Releases & Statements
August 3, 2022
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Statement
PA Business Leaders Want Voting to Be Secure AND Convenient.
July 21, 2022
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Statement
The Electoral Count Act of 1887 Is Broken. The Business Community Must Help Fix It.
June 15, 2022
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Press Release
BFA Announces Business Letter of Support for the Civics Secures Democracy Act
June 9, 2022
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Statement
January 6 Hearings and the Rule of Law
May 3, 2022
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Statement
BBPA Statement on Business Letter to PA Legislature
In the News
Proposed reforms for the Electoral Count Act draw broad support
The nonpartisan organization Business for America is mobilizing the business community with a sign-on letter to support the passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act. "The future of our republic relies upon effective election administration, public trust in the results, and the peaceful transfer of power — and so do our markets and businesses," Sarah Bonk, the founder and CEO of Business for America, said in a statement. "Our country cannot afford a constitutional crisis."
Jul 22, 2022
Business for America announces business letter of support for the Civics Secures Democracy Act
Business for America is mobilizing companies to sign a letter urging Congress to pass comprehensive bipartisan civics education legislation in 2022. The letter is open to the business community who will join a growing and diverse list of signatories including Allstate Insurance Company, American Sustainable Business Network, Aspen Skiing Company, Hannon Armstrong, Naturepedic, REI Co-op, Salesforce, and the San Francisco 49ers.
Jun 20, 2022
Senate Bill Would Boost Funding for Civics Education
“An investment in civics education produces a more informed and engaged citizenry, which leads to a more educated workforce, greater market stability, and better economic outcomes,” said Sarah Bonk, founder of Business for America.
Jun 15, 2022
$1 billion federal civics push aims to boost low trust in U.S. government, politics
The legislation has backing from… some business groups hoping to build public confidences in the political and economic systems. “Continued neglect of civics education will further weaken both our democratic institutions and our economic competitiveness,” said Sarah Bonk, founder of Business for America.
Jun 14, 2022
$1 billion federal civic push aims to boost low trust in U.S. government, politics
“Continued neglect of civics education will further weaken both our democratic institutions and our economic competitiveness,” said Sarah Bonk, founder of Business for America. “An investment in civics education produces a more informed and engaged citizenry, which leads to a more educated workforce, greater market stability, and better economic outcomes.”
Jun 14, 2022
Businesses to Lawmakers: Prioritize COVID Recovery Over Ballot Challenges
More than 60 businesses across Pennsylvania signed a letter to legislative leaders, calling on them to focus on improving the economic climate and abandon efforts making it harder for people to vote.
May 12, 2022
Shoring up American democracy with a corporate spirit
The movement is a part of a larger trend toward civic engagement and protecting our democracy… Sarah Bonk started the civic organization Business for America after realizing that business engagement would be essential to overcoming political partisanship.
Apr 12, 2022
The women who lead democracy reform
"Research shows that companies with more women in leadership have better financial performance, more innovation, and less risk. When our public servants more closely resemble America’s diverse voices, our democracy will work better, too. It’s an honor every day to work with women from across the country fighting to make our democracy truly representative." —Sarah Bonk, Business for America
Mar 14, 2022
As Ukraine takes center stage in State of the Union, democracy reformers look at issues at home
"Our business members and partners agree that a competitive economy functions best in a representative democracy backed by the rule of law and adherence to norms. The assault on democracy in Ukraine is a stark reminder that we must also protect our democratic institutions here at home."
Mar 1, 2022
US companies condemn election fraud ‘falsehood’ on January 6 anniversary
Business for America, whose members include PayPal and Warby Parker, said it was not enough for employers to issue statements and encourage staff to vote. “We urge all companies to ensure their future donations go to those supporting free, fair, accessible, and secure elections that represent the will of the people,” it said.
Jan 6, 2022
Opinion: The simple fix to our polarization: Befriend someone you disagree with
While everyone acknowledges our division and the social and cultural isolation at its core, doing something about it takes effort. Be of good cheer. There are those dedicated to doing just that, including organizations such as Business for America…
May 23, 2021
As the voting-rights fight moves to Texas, defiant Republicans test the resolve of corporations that oppose restrictions
“Many companies watched what the Georgia legislature threatened to do with Delta, or boycott Coca-Cola, and said, ‘The risk is too great,’ ” said Richard Eidlin, national policy director for Business for America, a nonprofit coalition that promotes democratic engagement by corporations. Instead, he said, they are taking the posture, “We’re just going to sign a letter about the principles of fair elections and voter access, but avoid for now getting into the specifics of particular legislation.”
Apr 22, 2021
The cost of changing election law: Texas stands to lose billions if bills pass
“Businesses are understanding these issues better than ever before. They’re understanding the costs and the risks for their business when they don’t have election laws that support their employees,” Bonk said on Y’all-itics. “And so, their attitude towards democracy has changed.”
Apr 20, 2021
Why Have Texas’s Restrictive Voter Bills Received Less Corporate Pushback Than the Ones in Georgia?
A corporate leader might get lost in the debates. Sarah Bonk, the CEO of Business for America, a coalition of tech executives and investors promoting civic engagement, told me that her organization is in an educational phase for corporate leaders because businesses are reluctant to step into issues like this until they “really understand it.”
Apr 17, 2021
Businesses Go Silent as GOP-Led States Rush to Restrict Voting
Moved by the spectacle of people queuing during the primaries — and by a sense that “democracy was fraying” — corporations stepped up, said Richard Eidlin, national policy director of Business for America, which organized corporate help for election officials in 28 states.
Mar 18, 2021
Corporations Can Prevent Another Attack on our Democracy–Here's How
As the health and resilience of our democracy takes center stage, more groups like Business for America are emerging to mobilize the business community in ensuring safe and secure elections. Whether your company decides to join as a member or engage ad hoc, these groups are providing useful resources to help you plan.
Feb 17, 2021
Trump’s corporate trouble: CEOs keep their distance from the party of business
But corporate America’s frustrations with Washington predate Mr Trump, Ms Bonk adds: “If they didn’t have to think about the political climate because it was stable, because problems were being solved, because we have predictability in our markets, they would be thrilled. But we’ve seen a failure of government to solve big problems for decades.”
Oct 30, 2020
Coca-Cola joins voter education and makes election day a paid holiday
The Coca-Cola Company is officially supporting several nonpartisan campaigns to encourage Americans to register and cast a ballot… From producing state-by-state voting guides for all U.S. employees to developing voter education resources, the company is committed to making sure everyone is informed about the election process and able to vote. Business for America’s Operation Vote Safe is working with Coca-Cola and the business community in Georgia.
Oct 29, 2020
Your Company Can Drive Civic Engagement: Here's Why Your Actions Matter
We wrapped up the 3BL Virtual Forum by speaking to leaders from both the private and nonprofit sectors to weigh in on why it’s so important to them that anyone eligible to vote in the U.S. does so. "We’re not going to make progress on climate, on racial equity, on protection of essential workers without having government policies that are aligned with those outcomes.” —Sarah Bonk, founder and CEO of Business For America
Oct 27, 2020
States are getting creative to prepare for the pandemic election
Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman said groups such as Business for America and the American Bar Association have also been on the ground this year advertising the need for poll workers. “[They’ve been] really trying to get their people to mobilize and support states…"
Oct 7, 2020
How Coca-Cola, Old Navy And Other U.S. Employers Are Encouraging Employees To Vote In The 2020 Election
[Coca-Cola] has also joined Business for America’s Operation Vote Safe, a coalition working to safeguard and secure the 2020 election by providing assistance and resources to election administrators and polling centers.
Sep 23, 2020
10 Ways 2020 Has Transformed Business Leadership
Standing up for voting rights is no longer a niche cause. During the 2018 midterm elections, some companies stepped up, yet they were the usual politically active suspects, such as Patagonia. Not this year. Groups such as Business For America are galvanizing companies to ensure all citizens have the right to vote, and they are approaching this challenge from a nonpartisan perspective.
Sep 15, 2020
Some Metro Atlanta Employers Want to Help You This Election Season
GaVotingWorks has partnered with Business for America and its Operation Vote Safe effort. Sarah Bonk said when she first had the idea to launch BFA a few years ago, it was challenging to get businesses involved. But she said their interest has grown more recently.
Sep 14, 2020
From Warby Parker to Walmart, Retailers Are Joining the Time to Vote Initiative
Retailers once limited their acknowledgment of an election cycle to “Vote” merch—if they addressed it at all. Now, a growing number of businesses are entering the conversation by encouraging higher voter turnout among their workers. Those efforts could build trust with employees, said Sarah Bonk, founder and CEO of Business for America, a corporate civic responsibility organization affiliated with Time to Vote.
Aug 24, 2020
Take your vacation days before you regret it
"As business leaders, it's our responsibility to ensure our employees are able to exercise their right to express their preference in who leads their local community, their state and our country," wrote co-founders and co-CEOs Neil Blumenthal and Dave Gilboa, along with Business for America founder Sarah Bonk.
Aug 18, 2020
Relief for COVID-19 and democracy: Mobilize for USPS and voting support in next bill
In the midst of this maneuvering for private gain, we’re glad to see a segment of the U.S. business community speak for the public interest, with a call for Congress to provide the “necessary funding for safe voting upgrades.” But more private sector voices are needed join this chorus, with the full weight of their lobbying capacity and political muscle.
Aug 16, 2020
Articles & Op-Eds
Companies need to give their employees time to vote
Companies can support the PA Back to Business Campaign, which is a nonpartisan effort led by Business for America and the West Philadelphia Corridor Collaborative to encourage the state Legislature to focus on economic recovery instead of voting restrictions.
Mar 14, 2022
Redistricting reform is good for business and employees
By letting elected officials draw the boundaries of their own legislative districts, partisan gerrymandering results in a system that drives out moderation and compromise, elevates the most extreme voices from both parties and leaves too many voters without a real choice on the ballot. We need a political system that responds to the needs of its citizens, and ending gerrymandering is essential to achieve this.
Oct 14, 2020
In the 2020 election, PA business leaders are getting out the vote
Operation Vote Safe, launched earlier this year under the umbrella of the nonpartisan nationwide nonprofit Business for America (BFA), is mobilizing business leaders to support a safe and secure election during the pandemic. Participating businesses, large and small, make pledges like donating PPE and other equipment needed to ready the polls this year, helping recruit poll workers, lending their facilities, or educating their communities about the election.
Oct 13, 2020
Outdoor brands work to keep voters safe in November
Answering a call from Operation Vote Safe, a nationwide campaign led by the nonprofit Business for America (BFA), companies like REI, Patagonia, and Outdoor Research have donated time, technological expertise, and thousands of units of PPE to polling places across the country. The donations will help ensure the safety of voters and poll workers so that, as BFA founder and CEO Sarah Bonk said, "no one needs to choose between their health and their vote."
Sep 30, 2020
Pairing the Business Case with the Civics Case for a USPS Rescue
Sometimes, for-profit and not-for-profit actors have different perspectives on public issues. Not this time. Prompt, reliable delivery of our nation's mail during the coronavirus pandemic — and throughout an election season where absentee voting has already started — is in everyone's best interest.
Sep 14, 2020
'Operation Vote Safe' effort raises money, PPE for poll workers
A national organization is galvanizing businesses in the effort to ensure a safe Election Day for in person voters, as well as raising money and PPE donations for poll workers.
Sep 14, 2020
17 Ways Companies Can Help Americans Vote Safely
As private companies take a greater role in elections and voter engagement, an issue brief from the Center for American Progress and Business for America outlines 17 ways that the business community can help boost voter turnout and ensure that Americans can vote safely during the pandemic.
Sep 9, 2020
Our Election Is at Risk. Businesses Can Help.
If the election process is chaotic and voters are unable to vote, the entire election’s results could be called into question. Business for America is mobilizing businesses to help the 2020 election go smoothly. With businesses, government, and communities working in tandem, there is every reason to believe that this year’s unprecedented election can still be one that restores America’s faith in democracy.
Aug 20, 2020
U.S. Business Leaders Defend Voting Rights
BFA has made a solid, bottom line case for corporate leaders to step up and ensure that their employees can exercise their voting rights and participate in the General Election on November 3, including voting by mail, regardless of their political affiliation.
Aug 19, 2020
Founders of Warby Parker and Business for America: Give your employees paid time off to vote
We're asking business leaders across America to join us in ensuring all employees are able to exercise their right to vote and have the proper tools and means necessary to do so. We have a responsibility to preserve the system of democratic governance that allowed us to dream big and start our own enterprises in this country.
Aug 16, 2020
Voting by Mail Is Good for Business
For most businesspeople, voting by mail is not a partisan issue. It is the best chance to protect the health and voices of our employees on Election Day.
Apr 18, 2020
The Business Case for Voting by Mail
Business understands that a successful and competitive economy requires strong democratic institutions — and elections — which must remain resilient in the face of this current public health crisis.
Apr 12, 2020
The New Opportunity in Corporate Citizenship: Corporate Civic Responsibility
"But ask anyone whether they think the current level of polarization in our politics and the gridlock it creates in Washington is sustainable and most will say that it is not. Just as our natural world is under threat, our civic world is under threat too. It’s hard to see how a business that takes social responsibility seriously shouldn’t also be concerned about the health of our democracy, our politics, and our civic life."
Jun 1, 2019
Opinion: Why Well-run Elections Are a Business Issue
Chris Jacobs, CEO of Communally in the Philadelphia Business Journal: "The longer we wait to implement these common-sense solutions, the more our reputation and self-image will suffer — both outside Pennsylvania and here in the Keystone State, where some residents and businesses are becoming so disenchanted that they are reluctant to start new business ventures, run for office or, sadly, even vote. This lack of confidence can prove harmful to Pennsylvania’s economy."
Apr 29, 2019
Democracy Is Good for Business
BFA Board Member Matt Douglass: "As business leaders… we should all be able to recognize is that for America to thrive and innovate in an increasingly competitive global economy, we need strong, uncorrupted, fairly regulated markets. To reach that ideal, we must first protect and strengthen the democratic foundations of our elections. I invite every business leader across the nation to join me in fighting for a more democratic democracy for all Americans…"
Mar 12, 2019
How Business Can Strengthen Democracy in the U.S.
Ecos CEO and BFA member Kelly Vlahakis-Hanks: "For the business community, preserving democracy is more than a matter of principle – it's an urgent economic priority. An unstable political system distracts from other challenges facing our country, hinders economic progress and competitiveness, and damages the very fabric of our society."
Mar 1, 2019