Volunteer Now or Later: The Effects of Effort Time Allocation on Donations
48 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2019 Last revised: 29 Aug 2019
Date Written: August 2019
Abstract
We study the effect of time flexibility on volunteering. Using an online experiment, we tested predictions of a model of inter-temporal volunteering. Consistent with our theoretical predictions, we find that flexibility in choosing when to allocate effort donations increases overall donations despite the added incentive to renege on a promise to donate. Furthermore, compared to monetary donations, donation rates are higher when people donate effort. We provide a framework for understanding these results.
Keywords: Charitable Donations, Volunteering, Flexibility, Dynamic Inconsistency, Warm Glow
JEL Classification: D6, C83, C90
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation