The Center for Political Accountability (CPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that was created in November 2003 to bring transparency and accountability to corporate political spending. It was formed to address the secrecy that cloaks much of the political activity engaged in by companies and the risks this poses to shareholder value. Working with more than 30 shareholder advocates, the CPA is the only group to directly engage companies to improve disclosure and oversight of their direct and indirect political spending. This includes soft money contributions and payments to trade associations and other tax exempt organizations that are used for political purposes. The Center’s aims are to encourage responsible corporate political activity, protect shareholders, and strengthen the integrity of the political process. As a result of the efforts of the CPA and its partners, more than 80 leading public companies, including more than half of the S&P 100, have adopted political disclosure and oversight.