Over the past few years, I have teamed up with fellow economists Marianne Bertrande, Matilde Bombardini and Francesco Trebbi to look into one underappreciated way that businesses may attempt to influence politicians: corporate philanthropy.
- Raymond Fisman
- The Conversation
We found that what we call “politically linked charities” get more money from corporate foundations in general.
We also find that when politicians gain leverage on issues tied to a company’s interests, charities in their districts get more gifts from that company’s foundation.
For example, a nonprofit is more than four times more likely to receive grants from a corporate foundation if a politician sits on its…