Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/213864 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
WZB Discussion Paper No. SP II 2019-306r
Version Description: 
October 2019 (revised February 2020)
Publisher: 
Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB), Berlin
Abstract: 
We study a form of threshold matching where donations above a certain threshold are topped up with a fixed amount. We show theoretically that threshold matching can induce crowding in if appropriately personalized. In a field experiment, we explore how thresholds should be chosen depending on past donations. The optimal choice of thresholds is rather bold, approximately 60-75% above past donations. Additionally, we explore how thresholds should be set for new donors as a function of their personal characteristics and demonstrate the benefits of personalization as opposed to setting general thresholds applying to all recipients of a fundraising call.
Subjects: 
charitable giving
field experiments
matching donations
personalization
JEL: 
C93
D64
D12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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