1 in 3 Fortune 500 Companies Use Purpose to Build Brands.
Corporate purpose is no longer optional, it’s shaping how the world sees top brands.
Purpose statements aren’t just nice-to-have slogans. The strongest ones weave values into a company’s DNA, defining how businesses improve people’s lives and measure impact. They go beyond CSR reports, influencing strategy, governance, and communication.
Purpose Is on the Rise
Purpose Brand’s 2025 review tracked 170 Fortune 500 purpose statements, up from 111 in 2022. Yet only 1 in 3 companies go beyond traditional mission statements to actively link brand to values and customer impact.
Some brands treat purpose as a reputation booster. Others make it central to stakeholder engagement, placing it in “Our Story” sections rather than buried in ESG reports or career microsites. Either way, purpose is increasingly public, explicit, and measurable.
Consumers Care
According to Purpose Brand CEO Diane Primo, 4 in 5 people expect companies to stand for more than profit. Purpose-driven firms aren’t just aspirational, they gain trust, loyalty, and relevance when values and action align.
But it’s not enough to post a statement online. Readers must look at culture, content, and behavior to see whether a company is truly purposeful.
Purpose in Action: Examples From Fortune 500
Here are a few standout purpose statements from leading brands:
Apple: Serves the public good, empowers people globally, and binds us together.
Amazon: Strive to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, best employer, safest place to work.
Google (Alphabet): Navigating people to better mobility, and making life easier.
Adobe: Changing the world through personalized digital experiences.
Coca-Cola: Refresh the world. Make a difference.
Expedia: Travel is a force for good.
These statements reflect aspiration, not guarantee. The real test is whether companies turn purpose into actions, culture, and measurable impact.
Why Purpose Matters
Guides brand strategy: Purpose clarifies why a company exists beyond profit.
Engages stakeholders: Consumers, employees, and investors respond to meaningful missions.
Drives measurable outcomes: Purpose can shape corporate governance, marketing, and innovation.
Bottom Line
As 2025 shows, companies that embed purpose from strategy to storytelling stand out.
They connect with people on values, not just products.
