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The number but not the variety of nonprofit organizations affects donations: evidence from an experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Giacomo Degli Antoni

    (University of Parma
    EconomEtica, C/O University Milano-Bicocca)

  • Marco Faillo

    (University of Trento)

Abstract

We provide experimental evidence on the total and the per-capita amount of collected donations at the increase of the number and variety of organizations available for donations. We vary the number of organizations, their type (nonprofit associations and community foundations) and their charitable purposes (to help people with economic difficulties or disabilities). We show that the number, but not the variety, of nonprofit organizations positively affects the total collected donations. Moreover, we find that, when the number of organizations increases, the inelasticity of total donations to the increase in the number of organizations leads to a reduction in the average amount of collected donations.

Suggested Citation

  • Giacomo Degli Antoni & Marco Faillo, 2021. "The number but not the variety of nonprofit organizations affects donations: evidence from an experiment," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 68(3), pages 281-299, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:68:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s12232-021-00373-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-021-00373-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Donations; Associations; Economic behavior; Non-profit organizations;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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