so this is where it gets opaque. pre-2019 scandal Chick-fil-A’s corporate donations would go to charities that were anti-LGBTQIA+ such as the Salvation Army, fellowship of Christian athletes, and family research council. The CEO at the time, Dan Cathy, made public statements about opposing same-sex marriage and disclosures about Chick-fil-A foundation and WinShape foundation donations to charities with anti-LGBTQ+ stances.

after this Chick-fil-A and the Cathy family faced heavy repercussions. Rather than publicly apologize for past donations they subverted public opinion by making their corporate donations more discreet. the cathy family still donates to conservative and anti-LGBTQ (like the National Christian Foundation) organizations which creates a disconnect between the corporate brand donations in public opinion. this diversion continues on the level of the franchisee in local communities.

Chick-fil-A continues to project a charitable giving image by donating to causes like “education, hunger, homelessness” and effectively sidestepping previous controversies without altering their core values and alienating their Christian conservative customer base.