Simone Lawson
Chick-fil-A has been criticised for its donations to anti-LGBTQ+ groups and candidates, with millions of dollars donated to organisations with anti-LGBTQ+ ties. The company has also been accused of discrimination against LGBTQ+ employees, with several queer workers reporting depressing comments from customers and coworkers. In 2019, the company announced it would cease donations to certain organisations, but this has not improved its reputation among LGBTQ+ advocates. Chick-fil-A has also been scrutinised for its political donations, with over 90% of contributions going to Republican candidates and organisations, according to OpenSecrets. However, it is important to note that these contributions come from members, employees, and their families rather than a Political Action Committee (PAC). Chick-fil-A has not reported any lobbying or outside spending during the 2024 election cycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chick-fil-A's donations to political campaigns in 2024 | No reported donations to political campaigns in the 2024 election cycle |
| Chick-fil-A's donations to political campaigns in 2022 | Made a number of large donations |
| Whether Chick-fil-A donates to political campaigns | No, Chick-fil-A does not donate to political campaigns as an organization. However, individuals associated with the company, such as members, employees, or owners, may make personal donations. |
| The political affiliation of Chick-fil-A's donations | Over 90% of Chick-fil-A's donations go to Republican candidates and affiliated organizations |
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What You'll Learn
Chick-fil-A's donations to anti-LGBTQ+ groups
Chick-fil-A has been mired in controversy over its donations to anti-LGBTQ+ groups. The fast-food chain has donated millions of dollars to organisations that are considered anti-LGBTQ+ by watchdog groups like Equality Matters. These donations have sparked protests and boycotts from LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies, who view the company's actions as supporting discrimination and harmful rhetoric.
Equality Matters reported that Chick-fil-A donated $2 million in 2009 and $1.9 million in 2010 to anti-LGBTQ+ groups, with a total of $5 million since 2003. This includes grants to organisations such as the Family Research Council, Georgia Family Council, and Exodus International, a group known for supporting ex-gay conversion therapy. Chick-fil-A has also been linked to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Marriage and Family Foundation, which have been criticised for their opposition to same-sex marriage.
In 2012, Northeastern University's Student Senate voted to cancel plans for a Chick-fil-A franchise on campus due to the company's history of donating to anti-gay organisations. Similar protests and petitions emerged at Davidson College in North Carolina, where students successfully stopped the school from serving Chick-fil-A at monthly events. Gay rights activists also organised a "Kiss Off" event, where LGBTQ+ individuals publicly showed affection to challenge bigotry.
Chick-fil-A has faced widespread criticism for its donations, with LGBTQ+ individuals and allies boycotting the company and protesting new restaurant openings. In 2019, the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Civil Rights investigated two airports for excluding Chick-fil-A due to its history of funding anti-LGBTQ+ organisations. The company has also been criticised for its association with the Salvation Army, a Christian organisation that opposes same-sex marriage.
In recent years, Chick-fil-A has attempted to distance itself from anti-LGBTQ+ charities. In 2019, Chick-fil-A President Tim Tassopoulos announced that the company would stop donating to charities with anti-LGBTQ+ views and instead focus on education, homelessness, and hunger. However, some remain sceptical of these promises, noting that Chick-fil-A has made similar commitments in the past without following through. The company's donations and statements have highlighted the complex interplay between business, religion, and social values in the public sphere.
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Chick-fil-A's donations to Republican candidates
Chick-fil-A has been associated with political donations, particularly to Republican candidates and affiliated organizations. According to OpenSecrets, over 90% of Chick-fil-A's contributions went to Republican-aligned recipients. This includes instances such as Utah Republican candidate Becky Edwards, who received $8,700.
It is worth noting that these contributions primarily originate from members, employees, owners, and their immediate family members, rather than affiliated Political Action Committees (PACs). Chick-fil-A, as a corporation, has not reported any political spending during the 2024 election cycle.
Chick-fil-A is considered an outlier among large corporations for its notably conservative political leanings. The company has also been scrutinized for its donations to organizations with controversial views, with some critics highlighting a perceived connection between Chick-fil-A's donations and support for groups that have contributed to harm within the LGBTQ+ community.
In response to criticism, Chick-fil-A has shifted its focus to poverty relief initiatives, and the company emphasizes that its restaurants are independently owned and operated, allowing them discretion over sponsorships and donations for local events.
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Chick-fil-A's donations to faith-based organisations
Chick-fil-A has been criticised for its donations to faith-based organisations with a history of opposing same-sex marriage. Up until 2018, the fast-food chain donated millions of dollars to The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2012, several queer workers reported "depressing" comments from customers and coworkers. In 2022, a transgender woman sued a Georgia franchise owner for firing her over her gender identity and ignoring reports of sexual harassment.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced it would stop funding these organisations and focus its donations on "education, homelessness, and hunger". However, the company has continued to face criticism for its anti-LGBTQ+ actions and ties to organisations such as Focus on the Family. In 2019, the San Antonio City Council rejected a Chick-fil-A for the city's airport, prompting Texas legislators to pass the "Save Chick-fil-A Bill", preventing the state or its cities and counties from "punishing" individuals or businesses for their membership in or donations to religious organisations.
Chick-fil-A has also been criticised for its lack of workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people. While the company pledged to stop donating to anti-LGBTQ+ groups, it has continued to fund efforts to block the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, and jury service.
Chick-fil-A has stated that it will not exclude faith-based organisations from future donations, but it is not clear if the company has donated to any faith-based organisations since 2019. The company offers grants of $30,000 to $350,000 to non-profit organisations through its True Inspiration Awards program, but it is unclear how many of these grants go to faith-based organisations.
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Chick-fil-A's donations to non-faith-based organisations
Chick-fil-A has faced criticism for its donations to organisations with anti-LGBTQ+ ties, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army, both of which have a history of opposing same-sex marriage. In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced that it would stop donating to these organisations and that its foundation would only donate to a select few organisations. The company stated that it would focus its donations on "education, homelessness, and hunger". Despite this pledge, Chick-fil-A has continued to face accusations of anti-LGBTQ+ actions and has been criticised for its lack of workplace protections for LGBTQ+ people.
Chick-fil-A has also been accused of donating to political campaigns, although the company has not reported any lobbying during the 2024 election cycle. The company's CEO, Dan Cathy, has made public comments opposing gay marriage, and the company has been linked to organisations such as Focus on the Family, which aims to harm LGBTQ+ people and families. In response to these allegations, Chick-fil-A has stated that "no organisation will be excluded from future consideration—faith-based or non-faith-based".
Chick-fil-A has taken some steps to improve its relationships with the LGBTQ+ community. For example, when opening its first UK location, the company worked with an LGBTQ+ charity. Additionally, a Chick-fil-A in Chicago shared a building with an LGBTQ+ group. However, the company's efforts have been met with scepticism, with activists calling for further transparency and inclusive policies.
Chick-fil-A has also been involved in other non-faith-based donations and initiatives. The company has a program called the True Inspiration Awards, which was created in 2015 to honour the legacy of Chick-fil-A's founder, S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, Chick-fil-A supports nonprofit organisations making an impact in their local communities. The grants range from $30,000 to $350,000, with a collective $5 million awarded annually to organisations throughout the United States.
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Chick-fil-A's donations to dark money groups
Chick-fil-A has been under scrutiny for its CEO's donations to charities and groups opposing LGBTQ+ rights. In 2021, reports emerged that Chick-fil-A's owner, Dan Cathy, was bankrolling hate groups targeting transgender children and opposing the Equality Act, which seeks to mandate equal protections for individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The company itself has stated that it does not donate to politicians or political groups, which is a common practice in the restaurant industry. Chick-fil-A has not reported any lobbying or outside spending during the 2024 election cycle. However, it is important to distinguish between the actions of the company and those of its owner, who has been accused of quietly lobbying behind the scenes and contributing to "`dark money` operations".
The controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A's donations dates back almost a decade. In 2019, the company attempted to distance itself from the issue by announcing it would stop donating to organizations with anti-LGBTQ+ records, such as the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Despite this, the owner, Dan Cathy, has continued his personal financial support for groups opposing LGBTQ+ rights.
One notable organization that has received support from both Chick-fil-A and its owner is the National Christian Charitable Foundation (NCF). The NCF has been accused of bankrolling efforts to block LGBTQ+-inclusive legislation and has reportedly helped push anti-LGBTQ+ bills in numerous states. In addition to the NCF, Chick-fil-A's owner has also been linked to other conservative groups, such as the Heritage Foundation and the Alliance Defending Freedom, which share similar anti-LGBTQ+ stances.
While Chick-fil-A as a company has not been directly implicated in recent political donations, the actions of its owner, particularly in supporting "dark money" groups, have drawn criticism and sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ activists and allies. It is worth noting that Chick-fil-A restaurants are independently owned and operated, and individual operators have the discretion to participate in sponsorships and donations for local events.
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Frequently asked questions
Chick-fil-A has made large donations to political campaigns, with over 90% of contributions going to Republican candidates and affiliated organisations. However, Chick-fil-A has not reported any outside spending in the 2024 election cycle.
Chick-fil-A has donated millions to anti-LGBTQ+ groups, including $1.65 million to the FCA and $115,000 to The Salvation Army in 2018. The company has also been criticised for funding efforts to block the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.
Yes, Chick-fil-A has faced significant backlash and boycotts due to its donations to anti-LGBTQ+ groups. In 2019, the San Antonio City Council rejected a Chick-fil-A for the city's airport, leading to the "Save Chick-fil-A Bill" being passed by conservative Texas legislators.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced that it would cease donations to certain organisations and that its foundation would only donate to a select few organisations. However, the company has not committed to excluding anti-LGBTQ+ groups from future donations.
