Public policy engagement and political activities policies

BlackRock, Inc. Public Policy Engagement and Political Participation Policies

BlackRock believes that responsible corporate citizenship requires active engagement in legislative and regulatory processes. As part of our responsibilities to our shareholders and clients, BlackRock advocates for public policies that we believe are in our shareholders’ and clients’ long-term best interests. We support the creation of regulatory regimes that increase financial market transparency, protect investors, and facilitate responsible growth of capital markets, while preserving consumer choice and properly balancing benefits versus implementation costs. BlackRock comments on public policy topics through, among other things, our published ViewPoints, which examine public policy issues and assess their implications for investors, and through comment letters and consultation responses that we submit to policy makers. We believe in the value of open dialogue and transparency on these important issues; our position papers and letters are available on the “Insights – Public Policy" section of our website.

Public Policy Engagement

Governance of Public Policy Engagement

BlackRock’s External Affairs group manages the firm’s key reputational and policy challenges and opportunities. The global group, which includes Corporate Sustainability, Global Public Policy and Social Impact, as well as members focused on research initiatives relating to stakeholder capitalism and engagement with the academic community, is focused on deepening our relationships with key stakeholders, creating forums for research, dialogue and debate, and advocating on behalf of the interests of our clients. Our engagements with policy makers and advocacy on public policy issues are coordinated by the Global Public Policy group (“GPPG”). Members of GPPG work closely with business and legal teams to identify legislative and regulatory priorities, both regionally and globally, that will protect investors, increase shareholder value and facilitate responsible economic growth.

BlackRock’s Chief Legal Officer and Head of External Affairs regularly brief the Board or its Committees to keep directors apprised of, and engaged in, the Company’s legislative and regulatory priorities and advocacy initiatives. Members of GPPG and executive leadership regularly meet with and exchange views on legislation and regulatory priorities with public officials and policy makers, regionally and globally, and provide such individuals with educational materials to help inform their decisions.

Trade Associations

As part of BlackRock’s engagement in the public policy process, BlackRock participates in a number of trade associations. A list of the principal U.S. trade associations to which we belong as well as those U.S. trade associations to which we paid in excess of $25,000 in 2021 for membership fees and/or dues can be found here. However, BlackRock does not control these organizations, and our membership and participation in these organizations are not an endorsement of all their activities and positions. We recognize that these organizations and groups represent numerous other companies, and there may be instances where specific positions diverge from those of BlackRock.

As an asset manager, BlackRock focuses on issues that impact the asset management industry and the clients for whom we act as agent in managing assets. In general, BlackRock’s efforts are focused at the national or regional level, rather than at a state-specific level.

Political Participation

Our ability to engage policy makers and participate in the public policy arena is subject to extensive laws and regulations at the international, federal, state, and local levels. Under U.S. federal law, BlackRock may not contribute corporate funds or make in-kind contributions to candidates for federal office or to national party committees. In addition to federal limits on corporate political action, our political contributions at the state and local level in the U.S. are governed by Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Rule G-37, Rule 206(4)-5 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and CFTC Rule 23.451, as well as applicable state and local law. Accordingly, BlackRock does not contribute corporate funds to candidates, political party committees, political action committees, or any political organization exempt from federal income taxes under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. Although permitted under federal law, BlackRock has voluntarily elected not to spend corporate funds directly on independent expenditures, including electioneering communications, Information about BlackRock’s lobbying activities, including contributions required to be disclosed under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended, is publicly available on the Senate website.

BlackRock maintains a federal political action committee (“PAC”) that is funded in accordance with applicable federal law on a voluntary basis by employees of the Company who are U.S. citizens or green card holders. The PAC makes contributions at the federal level on a bipartisan basis consistent with the Company’s contribution policies and public policy goals and without regard to the private political preferences of management. As required by law, all political contributions by the PAC are reported to the Federal Election Commission and are publicly disclosed on the FEC website. The PAC’s contributions for 2021 are presented here.

Following the events at the U.S. Capitol in January 2021, we revisited the BlackRock PAC’s governance structure, size, disbursements, contribution criteria, transparency and employee engagement. In the third quarter of 2021, we implemented a number of enhancements to strengthen governance, improve transparency and encourage engagement with eligible employees.

BlackRock maintains compliance processes designed to ensure that its activities are conducted in accordance with this policy and all relevant laws governing political contributions in the U.S. All employees are required to annually review and acknowledge their compliance responsibilities regarding political contributions and must submit all of their proposed personal political contributions to our Legal and Compliance Department to determine if such contributions are consistent with applicable legal restrictions.