Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders of corporations have certain rights and opportunities to engage with a firm on strategic management and business impacts, including by participating in annual general meetings (AGM). A company’s management presents issues to be voted on in the proxy statement, and shareholders in certain markets have the right to submit proposals for inclusion on the ballot.
We have filed over 300 proposals as part of our active engagement strategy as a tactical tool to make progress on an underlying issue, for example if we reach an impasse or to elevate an issue before corporate management and the board. Companies will often engage with us and we are open to reaching an agreement, which results in a withdrawal of our proposal. If we cannot reach agreement, an eligible proposal is printed in the corporate proxy statement for a vote by all company shareholders.
In the United States, companies may sometimes choose to appeal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have proposals omitted from the ballot, arguing they fall within the grounds for exclusion. After SEC review, these may either be omitted, moved forward to a vote, or may otherwise be withdrawn if we reach an agreement.
We frequently collaborate with other investment firms, public pension funds and foundations. Below, we list under “lead filer” the filings in which we played the main role. Under “co-filer,” we list proposals where Domini played a supporting role.
For information on proposals filed in previous years, please contact us at info@domini.com.
Shareholder Proposals listed by year of Annual General Meeting (AGM)
2022
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com | Worker health and safety audit | Omitted by the SEC |
| Kraft Heinz | Climate transition plan | Withdrawn for commitment |
| Kroger | Human rights in farmworker supply chain | 20% vote |
| Nike | Uyghur human rights (sourcing in China) | 6% vote |
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | Ending financing on fossil fuels | 11% vote |
| Moderna | Vaccine access (technology transfer) | 24% vote |
| Tesla | Freedom of association policy | 32% vote |
2021
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Beyond Meat | Publish a sustainability report | Withdrawn |
| Chipotle | Board oversight of workforce equity | Withdrawn |
| Disney | Board oversight of workforce equity | Withdrawn |
| Kohl’s | Feasibility study on providing paid leave | Omitted by the SEC |
| Nike | Human rights in the cotton supply chain | 27% vote |
| Walgreens Boots Alliance | Bonus Deferral | Withdrawn |
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Bank of America | Policy on financing oil and gas in Arctic | Withdrawn |
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals | COVID Treatment Access and Pricing | Withdrawn |
2020
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Alexion Pharmaceuticals | Publish a sustainability report | Withdrawn |
| Nucor | Lobbying report (tied to climate change denial) | Withdrawn |
| Tesla | Publish a DEI report | Withdrawn for commitment |
| Organization Name | Issue | Result / Vote Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Walgreens Boots Alliance | Bonus deferral | Withdrawn |
| Gilead Sciences | Bonus deferral | Withdrawn |
| Vertex | Report on incentive compensation risks | Withdrawn |
| Alphabet | Establish board committee on human rights risk oversight | 16% vote |