Chick-fil-A restaurants ' philanthropic WinShape Foundation no longer funds the most controversial and politically charged anti-same-sex-marriage groups and has not since 2011 , according to Campus Pride , a leading national LGBT campus organization . Campus Pride issued a statement Monday claiming that Chick-fil-A gave the organization 's executive director , Shane Windmeyer , access to WinShape 's 2011 `` 990 '' tax documents . He said they show that the nearly $ 6 million in outside grant funding `` focuses on youth , education , marriage enrichment and local communities '' and that in the list of the foundation 's beneficiaries , `` the most divisive , anti-LGBT groups are no longer listed . '' Among those groups were the Family Research Council , Eagle Forum and Exodus International . Windmeyer acknowledged that WinShape continues to fund groups that do n't condone same-sex marriage based on biblical beliefs but says these groups , such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes , do n't operate with the same hard-nosed political agenda the other groups are known for . Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy sparked controversy last July when he weighed in on same-sex marriage , telling The Baptist Press , `` We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit . '' Read more : Chicken , with a side of politics . Gay rights groups were most incensed about the chain 's financial support for what they called anti-gay groups . The ensuing debate included politicians from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to former GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum . Some proponents of same-sex marriage called for a boycott of the chain , which had annual sales of more than $ 4.1 billion last year . It has more than 1,615 locations in 39 states and Washington , and they are closed on Sundays . Many who agreed with Cathy took the opportunity to share their beliefs on August 1 , dubbed `` Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day '' by former Arkansas Gov . Mike Huckabee . Their purchase of chicken sandwiches and nuggets to show their support for the restaurant chain and its president brought the restaurant chain record sales . The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation then promoted a National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country on August 3 . `` Students on college campuses have been concerned with the giving practices of Chick-fil-A for years , '' Windmeyer said . `` Those comments just added fuel to the fire . '' Students protested on both sides of the issue , and some schools weighed the possibility of removing Chick fil-A from cafeterias and dining halls . However , Windmeyer says many people -- perhaps even himself -- did not take the opportunity to embrace the opportunity for civil discussion on the issue . `` There was a lot of divisiveness and hate on both sides , '' said Windmeyer . `` It was like the Chick-fil-A brand was a chicken sandwich with purpose . '' What does free speech mean to you ? Chick-fil-A debate strikes nerve . Windmeyer says Cathy called him August 10 . He expected an argument , yelling , anger , maybe even a lawyer to jump on the line , but instead there was an hour-long private conversation . After months of conversations , e-mails and text messages , Windmeyer says , he has developed a personal relationship with Cathy , met his family and even attended the Chick-fil-A Bowl , a college football game on New Year 's Eve . `` It is about opposing viewpoints , not opposing people , '' Windmeyer said . `` Dan cares about young people and was upset to hear how his company was being used to hurt LGBT students . '' Campus Pride says that after Windmeyer and Cathy began to discuss their beliefs and points of view , it suspended a national college campaign against the restaurant in an `` effort to find common ground '' around the values of respect and dignity Chick fil-A published on its website . `` The Chick-fil-A controversy continues to impact the lives of LGBT students and provides an opportunity for every college campus to assess their LGBT institutional commitment , '' Windmeyer said . `` Administrators have a responsibility to ensure a safe learning environment and should recognize the toll of the controversy by committing resources and services to ensure LGBT students feel safe and welcome on campus . '' Neither Chick-fil-A nor the WinShape Foundation returned calls seeking comment . According to its website , Chick-fil-A -- a privately held chicken restaurant chain -- has more than 1,615 locations in 39 states and Washington , D.C. , with annual sales of over $ 4.1 billion in 2011 . Opinion : The right way and the wrong way to protest Chick-fil-A . WinShape Foundation filed the tax forms on November 15 , according to Campus Pride , and they are public information that will be released by the IRS when it deems fit . Tax-exempt organizations and nonprofits such as the WinShape Foundation must file 990 documents each year and release a list of organizations that received support .
Campus Pride says it received philanthropic foundation 's funding forms . WinShape Foundation quit funding some controversial groups in 2014 , official says . Chick - fil - A president sparked controversy last year with comments on same - sex marriage . Campus Pride 's president says he 's developed relationship with Chick - fil - A president .