Is it permissible to take funding from a businessman who is predominantly thought to be corrupt, in order to undertake a beneficial project, and would that be considered 'inclining towards those who do wrong'?

If this man's money is purely Haram (unlawful), then it is not permissible to deal with him. If it is mixed, it is forbidden if the exact Haram money is known, and disliked if the money is mixed without distinction. It is preferable for a Muslim to stay away from such individuals, as the jurists have stipulated the dislike of partnering with someone who does not avoid dealing with Haram. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is not appropriate to associate with oppressors and wicked people unless one is forced to, or if the association serves a predominant religious benefit that outweighs the harm of association, or if abandoning it would lead to a predominant religious harm." Therefore, commercial partnership with an oppressor is not considered a forbidden inclination towards him unless it is accompanied by flattery and obedience to him in his oppression, or by being pleased with it and not denouncing it.