Political Contributions Policy

PepsiCo's Board of Directors has approved the following policy. Together with other policies and procedures, including our Code of Conduct, it guides our approach to political contributions. By following the policy and the accompanying procedures, by adhering to the letter and the spirit of all applicable laws and regulations, and by exercising sound judgment regarding our involvement in the political process, we affirm and strengthen our commitment to PepsiCo's values.

Policy

It is essential in a democratic society that citizens participate in their government. The health of our society depends on all of us being well informed and responsibly engaged in the political process.

The PepsiCo Concerned Citizens Fund (CCF) receives voluntary employee contributions to make political campaign contributions to U.S. federal and state political parties, committees and candidates. The CCF and the company's corporate contributions provide an important opportunity for PepsiCo, and its employees, to participate in the democratic process.

We believe that providing financial support to responsible pro-business candidates is an important means by which we help improve the business climate, our quality of life and the society in which we live, enabling us to succeed as a company committed to integrity, innovation and value.

The following criteria will be used in connection with all contributions:

The candidate’s or entity’s commitment to improving the business climate;
The candidate’s or entity’s position or voting record on issues of direct concern to PepsiCo;
The location of PepsiCo facilities or employees within the candidate’s district or state;
The candidate’s position on key committees where legislation of importance to PepsiCo is considered or the candidate’s demonstrated leadership – or potential for leadership – within the U.S. Congress or a State Legislature;
The candidate’s need for campaign financial assistance.

The public policy issues we face as a company and our engagement in the public policy process, including contributions as part of the political process, are discussed with and reviewed by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the company’s Board of Directors.

Details on PepsiCo’s political contributions will be posted on its website on an annual basis. This will occur in conjunction with the release of PepsiCo’s Corporate Citizenship Report each year.

All contributions and support of U.S. or state political parties, committees or candidates from the CCF or corporate funds must be made in accordance with applicable campaign finance and disclosure laws.

Coercion of any employee to contribute to the CCF or to make any political contribution of any kind is unacceptable.

Our employees have the right to be engaged in the political process in their individual capacity as they see fit, and make political contributions of their own time and money to the candidates or parties of their choice. Of course, those efforts must not in any way suggest PepsiCo’s support.

Management and supervisory employees who are citizens of the United States may voluntarily contribute to the CCF.

PepsiCo employees must obtain approval of the Corporate Vice President Public Policy & Government Affairs before making political contributions of corporate funds.

All contributions must be reviewed by the corporate law department to ensure legal compliance.

All payments from the CCF to support U.S. or state political parties, committees or candidates must be approved by the CCF Executive Committee.

Feb. 3, 2006

Click here for details of PepsiCo's 2007 Corporate Political Contributions.
Click here for details of PepsiCo, Inc. 2007 Concerned Citizens Fund contributions.

Back to top