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Do donation ceilings increase contributions? Evidence from an experimental study

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  • Cochard, François
  • Peterlé, Emmanuel
  • Tisserand, Jean-Christian

Abstract

We study how setting a maximum limit on donations affects how much people give to charity. In a laboratory experiment with 210 participants, we compare three conditions: a neutral baseline, a suggested donation amount, and a capped maximum donation. We find that imposing a donation ceiling significantly increases both the likelihood and the amount of giving compared to the baseline. Moreover, ceilings perform at least as well as suggestions in our experimental setting.

Suggested Citation

  • Cochard, François & Peterlé, Emmanuel & Tisserand, Jean-Christian, 2025. "Do donation ceilings increase contributions? Evidence from an experimental study," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 256(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:256:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525004239
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112586
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Philip J Grossman & Jonathan Levy, 2024. "It’s not you (well, it is a bit you), it’s me: Self- versus social image in warm-glow giving," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(3), pages 1-19, March.
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