The Giving Type: Identifying Donors

31 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2011

See all articles by Angela C. M. de Oliveira

Angela C. M. de Oliveira

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Rachel T. A. Croson

Michigan State University

Catherine C. Eckel

Texas A&M University

Date Written: February 1, 2010

Abstract

One commonly-used strategy in charitable fundraising is sharing names and contact information of donors between organizations, even those whose missions are unrelated. The efficacy of this practice hinges on the existence of “giving types,” that is, a positive correlation at the individual level between giving to one organization and to another. We run an experiment using a nonstudent sample (an artefactual field experiment) in which participants have the opportunity to donate to multiple charitable organizations. We examine the relationship between giving to one organization and giving to another. Our results support the existence of a giving type; a factor analysis demonstrates that giving decisions are driven by a single (unique) factor, and individuals who give to one organization, give significantly more to other organizations than do non-donors. Our results have important implications for the economics of charity and for fundraising practice.

Keywords: Charitable Giving, Public Goods, Field Experiment, Preference Stability, Social Preferences

JEL Classification: H41, C93

Suggested Citation

de Oliveira, Angela C. M. and Croson, Rachel T. A. and Eckel, Catherine C., The Giving Type: Identifying Donors (February 1, 2010). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1883744 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1883744

Angela C. M. De Oliveira

University of Massachusetts Amherst ( email )

Department of Operations and Information Managemen
Amherst, MA 01003
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.umass.edu/resec/faculty/deoliveira/index.shtml

Rachel T. A. Croson

Michigan State University ( email )

East Lansing, MI 48824
United States

Catherine C. Eckel (Contact Author)

Texas A&M University ( email )

5201 University Blvd.
College Station, TX 77843-4228
United States

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