Political Neutrality & Civic Engagement Policy

Purpose

B Local Bay Area exists to convene, support, and strengthen a diverse community of values-aligned businesses. Our role is to advance systems change through business leadership, shared learning, and collective action grounded in the principles of the B Corp movement.

As a nonprofit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, B Local Bay Area is prohibited from participating in or intervening in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Maintaining a nonpartisan position is therefore both a legal requirement and an important safeguard for the organization’s integrity.

In addition, because B Local Bay Area serves members across a wide range of political perspectives, maintaining political neutrality preserves trust, inclusivity, and our effectiveness as a community convener while allowing us to focus on advancing responsible business practices and strengthening the B Corp movement.

Guiding Principles

B Local Bay Area recognizes that civic engagement and democratic participation are critical to systems change. We are genuinely encouraged when leaders from the B Corp community step into public service, as this reflects our shared commitment to responsible leadership and impact beyond business.

At the same time, B Local Bay Area must remain politically impartial in order to:

  • Serve our full and diverse membership

  • Maintain credibility as a neutral, trusted convener

  • Avoid real or perceived political endorsement

  • Protect the long-term integrity of the organization

Our approach balances values alignment with political neutrality.


Political Impartiality

B Local Bay Area does not endorse, promote, fundraise for, or host events in direct support of individual political candidates or political parties at any level of government.

This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Campaign events or rallies

  • Fundraising events for a specific candidate

  • Public endorsements or promotional communications

  • Use of B Local platforms to advocate for the election of a specific individual

This policy applies regardless of whether a candidate is affiliated with, employed by, or otherwise connected to the B Corp community.

Permissible Civic Engagement Activities

While B Local Bay Area does not support individual candidates, we may engage in nonpartisan, values-aligned civic activities, including:

  • Hosting issue-based or educational conversations related to topics relevant to the B Corp community (e.g., stakeholder governance, climate policy, labor practices, responsible business)

  • Convening nonpartisan candidate forums or public discussions when appropriate. If such forums are hosted, B Local Bay Area will ensure the event is conducted in a fair and impartial manner consistent with 501(c)(3) requirements. This includes:

    • Inviting all legally qualified candidates for the relevant office to participate whenever feasible

    • Providing equal opportunity to speak, including comparable time allocations, formats, and moderator treatment

    • Structuring questions and discussion topics to focus on issues relevant to B Local Bay Area’s mission and the broader business community, rather than advocating for or against any candidate

    • Ensuring moderators remain neutral and do not express support or opposition toward any candidate

    • Clearly communicating that B Local Bay Area does not endorse or oppose any candidate or political party

    • Candidate forums will be designed to educate the community and encourage informed civic participation rather than influence electoral outcomes.

  • Sharing nonpartisan information about civic participation, voting, or public policy impacts on business

  • Highlighting community leadership and civic participation broadly, without endorsement or promotion

B Local Bay Area will reference best practices and guidance from nonprofit advocacy organizations, including Bolder Advocacy (Alliance for Justice), to ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit and election laws when organizing candidate forums or similar civic events.

Core Focus: Strengthening the B Corp Movement

B Local Bay Area affirms that one of the most impactful ways we support shared values and systems change is by strengthening the B Corp movement itself.

Supporting companies in becoming certified B Corporations, and in maintaining certification amid evolving standards, is a core organizational priority. In the current environment, being and staying a certified B Corp represents a meaningful commitment to accountability, transparency, and stakeholder-centered business, and serves as a powerful, nonpartisan act of leadership.

Governance & Review

Requests related to political or civic engagement activities will be reviewed through this policy lens. The Advisory Board retains oversight responsibility for interpretation and application of this policy and will revisit it as needed to ensure alignment with B Local Bay Area’s mission, values, and legal obligations.