DoorDash Agrees to Remove SPLC ‘Hate List’ as Default Filter in Employee Gift-Matching Program

DoorDash has agreed to remove the Southern Poverty Law Center’s “hate list” as a mandatory and default filter in its employee gift-matching program. The SPLC’s list screens out mainstream religious nonprofit organizations, a practice that has been embedded in corporate gift-screening systems. DoorDash’s decision preserves employee choice in its charitable giving, allowing them to support organizations without such restrictions.

This change follows negotiations led by Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys, representing IWP Capital and the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas. It marks ADF’s and its allies’ 55th policy shift in the past year promoting freedom of speech and religion at publicly traded companies. Similar actions have been taken by Mastercard, Texas Instruments, Salesforce, and others, while companies like Nvidia, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo have expanded their gift-match programs to include religious charities.

Alliance Defending Freedom’s Senior Counsel, Jeremy Tedesco, emphasized that freedom of speech and religion are foundational to a free society. He noted that corporations should respect these freedoms, and DoorDash’s decision sets a positive precedent. Many companies using third-party administrators like Benevity and Deed may not be aware that these platforms rely on the SPLC to exclude mainstream religious charities, a practice he described as viewpoint discrimination.

Pia de Solenni, vice president of corporate engagement at IWP Capital, highlighted the win for DoorDash’s employees and shareholders. She noted that clients view themselves as stewards of their assets, seeking to build relationships with the companies they own. The resolution, she said, reflects the company’s willingness to find a solution that benefits both the organization and its shareholders.

Gift-matching programs, available to about 65% of Fortune 500 companies, enable 26 million U.S. employees to increase their charitable contributions. However, the SPLC’s gatekeeping role, often hidden behind third-party administrators, has led to the exclusion of many religious charities. DoorDash’s move addresses this issue, ensuring employees can support organizations aligned with their values without unnecessary barriers.

The decision underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in corporate practices, particularly when they impact charitable giving and religious freedom. It reflects a growing awareness among companies of the need to uphold principles of fairness and choice in their operations.

This case highlights the broader implications of institutional practices on individual freedoms. As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting the rights of individuals and organizations, ensuring that charitable giving remains a tool for genuine good.

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