Firm receives a 100% score for the eighth year in a row
CHICAGO — Grant Thornton, one of America’s largest brands of professionals providing end-to-end audit, assurance, tax and advisory services, received a perfect 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This marks the eighth consecutive year Grant Thornton has earned top marks in this ranking, joining 765 other U.S. businesses recognized in 2025.
"We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, which reflects our ongoing commitment to building a workplace with a thriving culture of inclusion,” said Rashada Whitehead, Grant Thornton’s national managing principal of Culture, Immersion & Inclusion. “This recognition is a direct result of the efforts of our people, who continuously foster an environment where everyone can feel supported and empowered to reach their full potential.”
The 2025 CEI results highlight the progress of 1,449 U.S.-based companies in advancing LGBTQ+ workplace policies in the U.S. and abroad.
The CEI rates employers providing these crucial protections to over 22 million U.S. workers. They include companies from Fortune magazine’s 500 largest publicly traded businesses list, as well as companies listed in American Lawyer magazine’s top 200 revenue-grossing law firms (AmLaw 200) ― and hundreds of publicly and privately held mid- to large-sized businesses.
The CEI evaluates companies based on four central pillars:
- Non-discrimination policies across business entities.
- Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families.
- Supporting an inclusive culture.
- Corporate social responsibility.
“The CEI is so much more than a score on paper. For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful and supportive workplaces and benefits,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, SHRM-CP, HRCF senior director of Workplace Equality. “As conversations evolve on corporate America’s approach to diversity, equity and inclusion, year-over-year growth in CEI participation is evidence of a business community that largely recognizes the responsibility and value in upholding equity and inclusion. Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking. The work of the CEI is to help businesses to expand their consumer base and attract top, innovative talent by supporting the LGBTQ+ community.”
Grant Thornton’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been recognized through multiple accolades in 2024: The firm earned a spot on the 2024 “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion” list for the fifth year in a row, receiving a top score of 100% by Disability Equality Index®. It was also ranked for the 19th consecutive year as one of Seramount’s 100 Best Companies and named one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2024 by Forbes magazine, ranking 36 out of 500 businesses.
For more information about the 2025 Corporate Equality Index, visit here. To learn more about Grant Thornton’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, visit www.grantthornton.com/careers/diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging.
About Grant Thornton
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets.
Grant Thornton LLP, Grant Thornton Advisors LLC and their respective subsidiaries operate as an alternative practice structure (APS). The APS conforms with applicable laws, regulations and professional standards, including those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
“Grant Thornton” refers to the brand under which the member firms in the Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL) network provide services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms. Grant Thornton LLP and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC serve as the U.S. member firms of the GTIL network. GTIL and its member firms are not a worldwide partnership and all member firms are separate legal entities. Member firms deliver all services; GTIL does not provide services to clients.
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