Chick-fil-A looks to stem criticism with new charitable giving program

Chick-fil-A is taking a more “focused giving” approach to its philanthropic initiatives. It also reportedly will stop donations to charities with anti-LGBT views.

Starting in 2020, the fast-casual restaurant giant said it will expand its giving to a smaller number of organizations working exclusively in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger. The company will no longer make donations to the Salvation Army, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Paul Anderson Youth Home, reported Bisnow. The organizations have been criticized by the LGBT community due to the organizations’ views on homosexuality and Chick-fil-A has had to deal with mounting backlash. In March, the company lost out on a contract to open a location at the San Antonio International Airport after some city council members raised concerns with the brand’s record on LGBTQ issues.

Instead of the 300 philanthropic organizations that Chick-fil-A donated to this year, the company will expand its partnership in 2020 with two groups: Covenant House International and Junior Achievement USA. It also will dedicate $25,000 to a local food bank each time it opens a new location.

The new giving structure also moves away from the multiyear commitments Chick-fil-A had with the Salvation Army and the FCA and focuses on annual grants, which will be reviewed and assessed each year, Bisnow said. Future partners could include faith-based and non-faith-based charities, but the company said none of the organizations have anti-LGBT positions, the report said.

To read the full story, click here.