Center for Political Accountability
| Abbreviation | CPA |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2003 |
| Founders | Bruce F. Freed, Karl Sandstrom |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Legal status | Non-partisan |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Website | politicalaccountability.net |
Center for Political Accountability (CPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to promoting transparency and accountability in corporate political spending in the United States. Founded in 2003 by Bruce F. Freed and Karl Sandstrom, CPA, the organization encourages publicly held companies to disclose their political contributions and ensure that their political activities align with their publicly stated values and shareholder interests. The organization emphasizes the ethical and business risks associated with undisclosed political spending using corporate funds.[1]
History
The Center for Political Accountability was founded in 2003 by Bruce F. Freed, a former journalist and Capitol Hill senior aide, and Karl Sandstrom, a former election counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives and former vice chair of the Federal Election Commission who is now in private practice.[2] The organization was created in response to increasing concerns about the influence of undisclosed corporate political spending, particularly following the Enron scandal and the 2002 midterm elections.
Since its inception, CPA has focused on engaging shareholders, corporate boards, and management to promote greater transparency and oversight of political spending. The organization’s efforts gained further momentum after the Supreme Court decision in 2010 Citizens United v. FEC, which allowed corporations and unions to spend unlimited amounts on political campaigns, intensifying both the scope and scrutiny of corporate political activity. The organization's influence was recognized in a 2017 Iowa Law Review article, which credited CPA with making corporate political transparency a norm through "private ordering," whereby a critical mass of companies adopts voluntary standards that evolve into best practices.[3]
Mission and Activities
CPA seeks to improve corporate governance by:
- Promoting voluntary disclosure of corporate political spending;
- Advocating for strong internal oversight of such expenditures;
- Encouraging adoption of risk management frameworks for political engagement;
- Collaborating with investors to file shareholder resolutions[4]; and
- Publishing research and scorecards assessing corporate accountability.
CPA-Zicklin Index & Framework
One of CPA’s flagship initiatives is the CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability. This annual index ranks companies in the S&P 500 — and since 2022, the Russell 1000 — based on their transparency, policies, and oversight practices surrounding political spending.[5] [6] The index is produced in collaboration with the Zicklin Center for Governance and Business Ethics at the Wharton School.
Another initiative is the “CPA-Zicklin Framework for Corporate Political Spending” which was developed in partnership with The Wharton School’s Zicklin Center, corporate executives, investors, and corporate governance experts.[7] [8]
Impact
As of 2025, over 220 publicly traded companies have adopted political disclosure and oversight policies aligned with CPA’s recommendations.[9] The CPA-Zicklin Index is widely recognized benchmark for assessing corporate political transparency and accountability. CPA recently celebrated its 20-year mark with the publication of “CPA at 20”.
See Also
- Citizens United v. FEC
- Campaign finance in the United States
- Corporate social responsibility
- Political action committee
External Links
References
- ↑ About CPA – Center for Political Accountability
- ↑ – CPA
- ↑ See "Corporate Political Spending: Who Decides?" 102 Iowa L. Rev. 577 (2017).
- ↑ CPA-Zicklin Index – CPA
- ↑ "CPA-Zicklin Index to cover Russell 1000 companies".
- ↑ - Framework
- ↑ "How a Framework for Corporate Political Responsibility Can Enhance Business Social and Environmental Sustainability". Forbes.
- ↑ Index2024 – CPA
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