Working Paper: NBER ID: w20180
Authors: Catherine C. Eckel; David Herberich; Jonathan Meer
Abstract: The use of directed giving - allowing donors to target their gifts to specific organizations or functions - is pervasive in fundraising, yet little is known about its effectiveness. We conduct a field experiment at a public university in which prospective donors are presented with either an opportunity to donate to the unrestricted Annual Fund, or an opportunity of donating to the Annual Fund and directing some or all of their donation towards the academic college from which they graduated. While there is no effect on the probability of giving, donations are significantly larger when there is the option of directing. However, the value of the option does not come directly from use, as very few donors choose to direct their gift.
Keywords: No keywords provided
JEL Codes: C93; D64; H41
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| type of solicitation (directed vs. unrestricted) (L24) | size of donations received (D64) |
| type of solicitation (directed vs. unrestricted) (L24) | average gift size conditional on giving (D64) |
| offering a choice (D87) | size of donations received (D64) |
| offering a choice (D87) | average gift size conditional on giving (D64) |
| type of solicitation (directed vs. unrestricted) (L24) | probability of giving (C25) |