Ben & Jerry’s CEO: democracy is on the ballot, and business must show up

Ben & Jerry’s, the renowned Vermont-based company with a global presence, is a staunch advocate for democracy. As one of the stewards of this business, the CEO firmly believes that corporations have a responsibility to uphold democracy and enable communities to participate in it. This belief forms the foundation of Ben & Jerry’s unique model of Linked Prosperity, which holds that a company's success is not solely measured by its economic value, but also by the value it creates for the communities it serves.

The company has a long history of campaigning for democracy, from supporting voting rights in 2016 to backing Florida’s Amendment 4 campaign in 2018. Recently, they have been working closely with partners like the American Civil Liberties Union to educate voters, help them prepare to vote, and protect their right to do so. This year alone, Ben & Jerry’s has engaged with over 175,000 people and millions have viewed their content.

They have hosted step rallies in Detroit and Houston, reached nearly 10,000 people through these events, and supported voter engagement efforts across North Carolina. The company's commitment goes beyond just this election; they have also invested $3 million in the People’s Action Institute to support community organizing beyond Election Day.

Ben & Jerry’s acknowledges that balancing a social mission with a product and economic mission can be challenging, but they firmly believe that there is no progress without tension. They have established a governance model that gives equal weight to their social mission, allowing them to balance each part of their three-part mission.

The CEO urges more businesses to recognize their role in upholding democracy and encourages them to start engaging now, not just in the lead-up to the next election, but also in local elections and the broader fight for democracy.