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Local Crime and Prosocial Attitudes: Evidence from Charitable Donations

Author

Listed:
  • Carlo Perroni

    (University of Warwick)

  • Kimberly Scharf

    (University of Nottingham)

  • Sarah Smith

    (University of Bristol)

  • Oleksandr Talavera

    (University of Birmingham)

  • Linh Vi

    (Aston University)

Abstract

Combining longitudinal postcode-level data on charitable donations made through a UK giving portal with publicly available data on local crime and neighborhood characteristics, we study the relationship between local crime and local residents' charitable giving and we investigate the possible mechanisms underlying this relationship. An increase in local crime corresponds to a sizeable increase in the overall size of unscheduled charitable donations. This effect is mainly driven by the responses of female and gender unclassified donors. Donation responses also reflect postcode variation in socio-economic characteristics, levels of mental health, and political leanings, but mainly so for female and gender-unidentified donors.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlo Perroni & Kimberly Scharf & Sarah Smith & Oleksandr Talavera & Linh Vi, 2024. "Local Crime and Prosocial Attitudes: Evidence from Charitable Donations," Discussion Papers 24-02, Department of Economics, University of Birmingham.
    • Handle: RePEc:bir:birmec:24-02
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Charitable Donations; Prosocial Behavior; Crime;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H41 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Public Goods
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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