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Does Price Matter in Charitable Giving? Evidence from a Large-Scale Natural Field Experiment Author info | Abstract | Publisher info | Download info | Related research | Statistics Dean Karlan
John A. List
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We conducted a natural field experiment to further our understanding of the economics of charity. Using direct mail solicitations to over 50,000 prior donors of a nonprofit organization, we tested the effectiveness of a matching grant on charitable giving. We find that the match offer increases both the revenue per solicitation and the response rate. Larger match ratios (i.e., $3:$1 and $2:$1) relative to a smaller match ratio ($1:$1) had no additional impact, however. The results provide avenues for future empirical and theoretical work on charitable giving, cost-benefit analysis, and the private provision of public goods. (JEL D64, L31)
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Article provided by American Economic Association in its journal American Economic Review .
Volume (Year): 97 (2007)
Issue (Month): 5 (December)
Pages: 1774-1793
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Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:97:y:2007:i:5:p:1774-1793Contact details of provider: Email: Web page: http://www.aeaweb.org/aer/ More information through EDIRC
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Paper Dean Karlan & John A. List, 2006.
"Does Price Matter in Charitable Giving? Evidence From a Large-Scale Natural Field Experiment ,"
NBER Working Papers
12338, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
[Downloadable!] (restricted) Dean Karlan & John A. List, 2006.
"Does Price Matter in Charitable Giving? Evidence from a Large-Scale Natural Field Experiment ,"
Working Papers
001, The Field Experiments Website.
[Downloadable!] Karlan, Dean & List, John, 2006.
"Does Price Matter in Charitable Giving? Evidence from a Large-Scale Natural Field Experiment ,"
Working Papers
13, Yale University, Department of Economics.
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