American Investor Initiative

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American Investor Initiative

Advancing economic freedom for every American

Mission

American Investors Flourish When Businesses Serve Shareholders, Workers, and Communities—Not Activist Elites

The American Investor Initiative advances the principles and institutions that make American economic freedom possible. We believe Americans flourish when they are free to work, to build, and to provide for their families in an industrious economy that rewards service and value-creation. That requires respect for private property, the freedom to start and grow a business, and an economic system that strengthens families rather than undermines them. 

We pursue this work across the full range of factors that shape our economy—from policy and legislation to regulatory engagement, from financial oversight and competitiveness to corporate governance and accountability. 

Advancing these principles requires more than good ideas. It requires sustained leadership wherever the rules of our economy are written and enforced. 

The Principles We Advance

The American Investor Initiative advances the principles of free enterprise because Americans thrive when markets are competitive, property rights are protected, and businesses remain focused on creating long-term value. 

Free enterprise is the freedom to participate in economic life—as a worker, an entrepreneur, or an investor.

It means the ability to start a business without asking Washington and state capitals for permission, to compete on a level playing field, to own property, to contract freely, and to take risks in pursuit of opportunity. Success comes from creating value for others—not from political favoritism or insider advantage. 

Free enterprise depends on a sturdy moral and institutional framework: strong property rights, enforceable contracts, sound money, and rules that maintain competitive markets. It means low barriers to entry, real opportunity for new innovators, and an economy where work provides not only a paycheck but dignity and purpose. 

Free enterprise is ultimately about the American people—their initiative, their creativity, and their responsibility. It is about creating the conditions where hard work leads to upward mobility, where family businesses can endure, and where Americans can build better lives for themselves and their children. 

As part of our mission to strengthen the institutions of free enterprise, The Heritage Foundation engages corporations to encourage practices that uphold integrity, accountability, and moral clarity in America’s financial and corporate sectors. Through shareholder proposals and related filings, we highlight the legal, operational, and reputational risks associated with key corporate policies.  

This work reflects our commitment to ensuring that corporations operate with accountability, transparency, and alignment with the interests of their shareholders—and with the principles that sustain a free and flourishing economy. 

Regional Banks with Conservative Members 

Bank of AmericaTruist
M&T Bank Zions Bank
Regions Financial 

 

Federal Contractors with DEI Metrics in Executive Compensation Programs 

AltriaLockheed Martin
American ExpressMerck
CEI100 CompaniesPhilip Morris International
Corning Inc.Regeneron
DellRTX
General ElectricS&P Global
HumanaTetra Tech
IBMValero Energy
Johnson & Johnson 

 

ESG & DEI in Executive Pay 

The Allstate CorporationDominion Energy 
Best BuyGeneral Motors Company
Consolidated EdisonNorfolk Southern
CSX Corporation 

 

Companies with Unmitigated China Risk 

CitigroupIntel
Dow Inc.MetLife

 

Southern Poverty Law Center’s “Hate Map” 

AlphabetPayPal
AmazonSalesforce
MastercardStarbucks
Meta 

 

Discrimination in Charitable Support

Airbnb