Abstract: As an integral part of the income distribution system, the third distribution plays a significant role in achieving common prosperity. This article reviews the literature on the motivations behind corporate participation in the third distribution, decision-making influencing factors, and performance outcomes. It is found that current corporate participation in China's third distribution is largely driven by self-interest motives, with the main forms of participation being cash and in-kind donations. Corporate participation behavior is influenced by political and economic factors, tax incentive policies, characteristics of corporate management, corporate performance, and product conditions. In terms of participation effects, corporate engagement in the third distribution significantly enhances the company's innovation capability, operational performance, and financing capacity, and also helps in accumulating reputational capital. Current research indicates that the forms of corporate participation in the third distribution in China are relatively singular. How to broaden the channels for corporate participation, increase the enthusiasm and efficiency of corporate donations, are issues that require in-depth study in the future.