VF Corporation Government Affairs and Political Activity

VF Corporation deploys government affairs strategies to help shape public policy issues that benefit our company, industry, and the consumers and communities we serve. We believe it’s important for companies like ours to actively participate in political and regulatory processes so that our voice and positions are heard and understood by governments and policy makers around the world.

Led by our Government Affairs function based in Denver, Colorado, VF engages in lobbying activities that support long-term competitiveness and innovation throughout the apparel and footwear sector. Our team maintains ongoing dialogue with public officials and their staff across all levels of government -- federal, state, and local -- to carry out this mission. VF’s strategies and actions are guided by the company’s business interests and its Purpose-led commitments and are conducted without regard to the private political preferences of its officers and/or executives. All Government Affairs engagements and political activities are fully aligned with our legal obligations, Purpose and Guiding Principles, and our Code of Business Conduct.

Government Affairs at VF focuses on policy priorities that are connected to issues relevant to our business landscape and our Purpose, such as free trade, human rights, public lands in the United States, climate impact, and environmental justice.

VF’s compliance program includes policies, training and compliance with legal reporting requirements, directives on political spending, a process for public disclosures and risk-based consultant due diligence.

Our Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain is responsible for government affairs activities. The EVP, Global Supply Chain is a member of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and reports directly to VF’s President and CEO. VF’s Government Affairs Council, which includes members of the ELT and other subject matter experts and thought leaders across the business, oversees advocacy efforts and is briefed on the government affairs strategy and activities.

Relevant departments, functions, and individuals across the enterprise receive Government Affairs and Political Activity Training. The training provides guidance on corporate and personal political activity, lobbying, gifts, travel and entertainment to Government/covered officials, and involvement in trade and industry organizations.

POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT

VF’s political engagement activity and lobbying is conducted in accordance with applicable laws, policies and procedures, sound corporate practice, and our high standards of ethical conduct.

VF employs lobbyists and retains external lobbying firms to advance our key priorities. As per the requirements in the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act, VF lobbyists file quarterly activity reports with the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives, Secretary of the U.S. Senate and with state offices as required.

The training mentioned above is provided to all VF associates that may engage with elected officials or their staff. Additionally, all lobbying activity in the U.S. is logged through an internal compliance database.

Principles governing our approach to political expenditures include the following:

  • VF does not endorse or make campaign contributions to federal, state, or local candidates.
  • VF does not make contributions in support of or in opposition to ballot initiatives.
  • VF does not participate in electioneering communication to our associates or anyone outside the company.
  • VF does not have a Political Action Committee (PAC).
  • VF does partner and work with various third parties -- such as trade associations, coalitions, civil society initiatives, and international organizations – to communicate and advance our positions on key issues. VF periodically reviews the work performed by our trade associations and industry groups, either on VF’s behalf or more broadly, to ensure continued alignment with our interests, business strategies, and Purpose-led commitments.

The following is a list of U.S.-based organizations to which in Fiscal Year 2023 VF has contributed (1) trade association payments of $25,000 or more (along with the non-tax-deductible portion of those payments); (2) payments to IRS 527 entities; and (3) payments to advocacy organizations that engage in political activities such as 501(c)(4) organizations.

Organization Total Dues Non-Deductible Percentage
American Apparel and Footwear Association $150,000 15.3%
Clean Energy Buyers Association $25,000 1%
Denver Metro Chamber $100,000 3.25%
Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America $60,000 0%
HR Policy Association $59,200 60%
National Retail Federation $40,000 100%
North Carolina Chamber $25,500 24%
Outdoor Industry Association $340,000 55%
Retail Industry Leaders Association $65,000 65%
US Chamber of Commerce $50,000 35%

IRS 527 Organization 

Total Contribution 

Democratic Governors Association 

$20,602*

*in-kind donation

In Fiscal Year 2023, VF did not make payments to advocacy organizations that engage in political activities such as 501(c)(4) organizations.