Is a Donor in Hand Better Than Two in the Bush? Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment
- (pp. 958-83)
Abstract
This study examines why people initially give to charities, why they remain committed to the cause, and what factors attenuate these influences. Using an experimental design that links donations across distinct treatments separated in time, we present several results. For example, previous donors are more likely to give, and contribute more, than other donor types. Yet, how previous donors were acquired is critical: agents initially attracted by an economic mechanism are more likely to continue giving than agents attracted by a nonmechanism factor. From a methodological viewpoint, our study showcases the benefit of moving beyond an experimental design that focuses on short-run substitution effects. (JEL C93, D64, D82, H41, L31, Z12)Citation
Landry, Craig E., Andreas Lange, John A. List, Michael K. Price, and Nicholas G. Rupp. 2010. "Is a Donor in Hand Better Than Two in the Bush? Evidence from a Natural Field Experiment." American Economic Review, 100 (3): 958-83. DOI: 10.1257/aer.100.3.958Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- C93 Field Experiments
- D64 Altruism
- D82 Asymmetric and Private Information
- H41 Public Goods
- L31 Nonprofit Institutions; NGOs
- Z12 Cultural Economics: Religion