Non-Support of Nonprofits with Political Statements
Purpose:
Titus-Will is committed to maintaining a neutral stance on political and ideological matters to ensure our focus remains on our core mission to develop lifelong customers by providing a best-in-class automotive buying and ownership experience. This policy establishes guidelines for our engagement with nonprofit organizations, ensuring our resources and support align with our commitment to impartiality.
Policy Statement:
Titus-Will will not provide financial contributions, in-kind donations, sponsorships, or any other form of support to non profit organizations that make political statements or engage in advocacy tied to political or ideological positions. This includes, but is not limited to, statements on social, cultural, or legislative issues that extend beyond the nonprofit’s primary charitable purpose.
Definition of Political Statements:
For the purposes of this policy, a “political statement” is defined as any public declaration, campaign, or practice that explicitly or implicitly endorses, opposes, or promotes a stance on political, ideological, or contested social issues. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- Advocacy for or against specific legislation, candidates, or political parties.
- Promotion of ideological positions on topics such as gender identity, race, or climate policy.
- Inclusion of pronouns in email signatures, website bios, or official communications, which is considered a political statement due to its association with ongoing cultural and ideological debates.
Scope:
This policy applies to all company entities, employees, and representatives acting on behalf of Titus-Will when evaluating or engaging with nonprofit organizations. It does not restrict individual employees’ personal charitable activities outside of work, provided they do not represent the company.
Implementation:
- Evaluation Process: Prior to approving support for any nonprofit, Titus-Will will review the organization’s public materials (e.g., website, social media, mission statements) to confirm it does not make political statements.
- Prohibited Actions: Support will be denied or withdrawn if a nonprofit is found to engage in political advocacy as defined above.
- Exceptions: Nonprofits whose primary mission involves political education (e.g., voter registration drives) may be considered on a case-by-case basis, provided their activities remain strictly nonpartisan and do not endorse specific views.
Rationale:
By avoiding entanglement with political or ideological causes, Titus-Will preserves its ability to serve a diverse customer base and workforce without alienating stakeholders. This policy ensures our charitable efforts focus on universal benefits—such as education and health—rather than divisive issues.
Enforcement:
Titus-Will will conduct annual audits of supported organizations to ensure compliance.