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Charitable Giving and Nonbinding Contribution-Level Suggestions - Evidence from a Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Maja Adena
  • Steffen Huck
  • Imran Rasul

Abstract

When asking for donations, charitable organizations often use suggestions concerning the amount of potential contributions. In our randomized field experiment, opera visitors received solicitation letters asking to support a social youth project organized by the opera house. The three different treatments were: no suggestion and suggestions of €100 and €200, respectively. The findings are that suggestions substantially influence the distribution of donations received. The mean amounts given increase significantly. The increase is stronger in the €200 treatment. On the other hand, the participation rate decreases if a suggestion is made. Overall, the returns from the campaign increase non-significantly.

Suggested Citation

  • Maja Adena & Steffen Huck & Imran Rasul, 2014. "Charitable Giving and Nonbinding Contribution-Level Suggestions - Evidence from a Field Experiment," CESifo Working Paper Series 4654, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_4654
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Briers, Barbara & Pandelaere, Mario & Warlop, Luk, 2007. "Adding exchange to charity: A reference price explanation," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 28(1), pages 15-30, January.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers

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