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I’m feeling lucky: How randomly drawn suggested donations affect donation choice

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  • Li, Jing

Abstract

Online donation requests in China often feature a random-draw button that reveals suggested donations when used. We conduct a lab experiment to evaluate how this novel fundraising technique affects donation rate and size. We find that the impact of the button is nuanced and depends on the reference amount already displayed on the donation request. When the reference amount is low, the presence of the button increases the donation amount. When the reference amount is high, the presence of the button reduces the donation rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Jing, 2023. "I’m feeling lucky: How randomly drawn suggested donations affect donation choice," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:223:y:2023:i:c:s0165176522004451
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2022.110971
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Donation; Fundraising design; Suggestions; Laboratory experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D80 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - General
    • L31 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs; Social Entrepreneurship

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