More than half (51%) of Americans believe for-profit companies should play a significant role in creating solutions for social challenges, up from 46% who held the belief when asked during 2024. Slightly more than one in seven (15%) believe companies should take a smaller role, with a similar amount indicating companies should not address social challenges at all and the rest advocating no change.
That’s some of the data in the new Corporate Social Action Tracker 2025, a survey-based study issued by social purpose consultancy Carol Cone ON PURPOSE and The Harris Poll. The survey that undergirds the study was conducted this past November 6 through 10, among 2,087 adults.
This sentiment was strongest among individuals who have traditionally affiliated themselves with left-leaning political philosophies. Nearly two-thirds (65%) who self-identified as Democrat, along with 59% of Millennials and another 59% of urban residents, affirmed that corporations should take such rules. But 42% of respondents who self-identified as Republican held this position, up from 33% in 2024.
“Americans, regardless of their political affinity, generation or gender, increasingly expect business to invest more in addressing social issues,” Carol Cone, CEO of Carol Cone ON PURPOSE, said via a statement “They want companies to think big and act locally, and they’re telling us to focus on issues that affect people’s daily lives.”
Respondents across political and demographic divisions expressed significant support for the types of actions they wanted to see corporations take. More than four in five (84%) believe corporations should support issues important to employees, while 81% said companies should address national challenges such as healthcare and jobs. A similar amount wanted to see companies invest in local community needs. And, 79% believe corporations should communicate more transparently about values and their social responsibility.
“As government priorities continue to shift, the private sector has an opportunity to help address issues that matter most to Americans,” Cone added via the statement. “The companies that lead with authenticity, invest in long-term solutions, and prioritize their people will be best positioned to drive meaningful change.”
Mental health has led the field of top concerns for each of the two years the study has been fielded. Just more than one-third (34%) cited this, up from 31% a year ago. As the report authors noted, “National data reinforce this urgency: the U.S. Surgeon General has identified mental health — and particularly loneliness and youth wellbeing — as critical public health threats.”
Food insecurity issues generate the highest year-over-year increase, perhaps influenced by the early-November field dates for the survey on which the study is based. At that time, a government shutdown had disrupted distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Just fewer than one-third (32%) of respondents cited this as a top concern, up from 24% last year. These concerns were followed by elder care (29%) and curing and treating diseases (28%).
Employed respondents were most likely to be satisfied with how their employers treated staffers, with 44% saying all employees were treated fairly, 41% indicating their companies offered work-life balance, and 30% indicating they had adequate training and growth opportunities. But a few looked outside of their corporate walls, with 21% saying their employers improved the quality of life in their communities, 14% indicating satisfaction with employee volunteerism opportunities presented and 10% each believing their company enhanced the environment of their local community/region or the nation as a whole.
See the full report here … https://www.carolconeonpurpose.com/post/corporate-social-action-tracker
