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  3. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
  4. February 2011
  5. Payment Choice, Image Motivation and Contributions to Charity: Evidence from a Field Experiment

American Economic Journal:
Economic Policy

ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)

Payment Choice, Image Motivation and Contributions to Charity: Evidence from a Field Experiment

  • Adriaan R. Soetevent
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
vol. 3, no. 1, February 2011
(pp. 180–205)
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Abstract

This paper examines the impact of payment choice on charitable giving with a door-to-door fund-raising field experiment. Respondents can donate cash only, use debit only, or have both options. Cash donations have lower visibility vis-à-vis solicitors than debit card donations. When debit replaces cash, participation drops by 87 percent. Conditional on participation, donors in the Debit-only treatment give more than donors in Cash-only. In Cash&Debit, almost all donors prefer cash; participation decreases compared to Cash-only. Physical attractiveness of both female and male solicitors increases contributions. Solicitor self-confidence has a negative impact. (JEL D14, D64, L31)

Citation

Soetevent, Adriaan R. 2011. "Payment Choice, Image Motivation and Contributions to Charity: Evidence from a Field Experiment." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 3 (1): 180–205. DOI: 10.1257/pol.3.1.180

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • D14 Personal Finance
  • D64 Altruism
  • L31 Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs
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