Nearly 90% of Corporate Social Impact Leaders Anticipate Company’s Commitment to CSR to Remain Strong Under New Presidential Administration, Despite DEI Backlash
New ACCP Pulse Survey of 141 CSR Leaders Reports Shift to Non-Partisan Issues, Changes in Communications and Added Legal Oversight of Social Impact Programs
FOR RELEASE: March 27, 2025
Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals
CONTACT: Jeanne Metzger | Vice President of Communications
jeanne@accp.org | 202-796-5881
ORLANDO, FL – Amid a contentious and ongoing national debate regarding the role corporations should play in our society, a new exclusive Pulse Survey released today by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) – the nation’s leading advocate for corporate social impact professionals and purpose-driven companies – provides insights on the anticipated level of impact the new presidential administration will have on corporate social impact programs and initiatives at leading companies, as well as what areas their social impact work will most likely be affected.
In the new survey of 141 corporate social impact leaders, 90% of respondents anticipate their company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) will either stay the same (77%) or increase (13%) under the new presidential administration. When asked about the anticipated impacts of the new administration on their corporate social impact programs. The top two anticipated impacts included:
- Shift in Message and Communications: 53% of respondents cited “change in language describing the work” as the top way they anticipate their work being impacted and to a lesser extent, 31% cited a likely “decrease in external communications about the work.”
- Increase in Legal Oversight of Social Impact Work: 30% of those surveyed said that they anticipate an increase in legal oversight of their work.
“Our survey offers an important perspective from front-line corporate social impact professionals who are responsible for carrying out corporate social responsibility programs and initiatives at leading companies. Over 90% of survey respondents report that even during this challenging environment, they anticipate their company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility will remain strong,” said Andrea Wood, ACCP president and CEO. “While this runs counter to headline grabbing news stories, most companies remain strongly committed to social impact programs, such as employee volunteerism, employee giving, corporate giving and community investment because of the many business and community benefits that result from this work including employee engagement, talent recruitment, revenue growth and brand loyalty.”
ACCP’s Pulse Survey also asked about how corporate commitments to DEI and ESG may change under the new Administration. Not surprisingly, the most profound impact is expected to be around diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. That said, most respondents expect their company’s commitment to ESG (82%) and DEI (69%) to either remain steady or increase under the new presidential administration.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): 90% of respondents said corporate commitment to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) would remain strong, compared to 92% in 2024, the least impacted according to the survey.
- Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG): 82% of corporate social impact professionals anticipate their company’s commitment to ESG will either stay the same (73%) or increase (13%) under the new presidential administration. This represents an 11% drop compared to 2024.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): 69% anticipated their company’s commitment to DEI would stay the same (63%) or increase (6%); a 28% decrease since 2024, representing the most impacted area revealed in the survey.
“It’s inspiring that ACCP’s Pulse Survey shows that corporate executives remain committed to sustainability initiatives. Responsible business practices and strategies drive growth, reduce risk, and open opportunities for businesses, employees and communities” affirms Laura Bishop, a sustainability expert and independent consultant who serves on multiple corporate boards and teaches at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
“These survey results reveal a nuanced perspective on how the current political climate is shaping corporate social impact work compared to recent mainstream media stories. The overall takeaway is that a majority of companies remain committed to their corporate social impact programs and initiatives because regardless of the political climate, data consistently shows that strategic corporate social responsibility programs and initiatives provide companies with a strong competitive advantage. Companies invest in the communities where they work and live not only because it benefits society, but also because vibrant communities are necessary for businesses to thrive,” concluded Wood.
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The Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) is the preeminent membership organization advancing the practice of corporate social impact. ACCP increases the effectiveness of corporate social impact professionals and their companies by sharing knowledge, fostering solutions, and cultivating inclusive and supportive peer communities. ACCP amplifies the voices of its practitioner network to elevate strategies that work, provide innovative solutions, and expand impact.
