Worthiness versus Self‐Interest in Charitable Giving: Evidence from a Low‐Income, Minority Neighborhood. (14th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Candelo, Natalia; de Oliveira, Angela C. M.; Eckel, Catherine
• Is Part Of: Southern economic journal. Volume 85:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1196
• Page End: 1216
• Publication Date: 2019-03-14
• Subjects: D03 -- D64; Southern States -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Economics -- Periodicals; Economic history; Economics; Southern States; Periodicals; 330.975005
• DOI: 10.1002/soej.12342
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4038

Abstract

Abstract : We examine the impact of perceived worthiness and financial self‐interest on charitable giving. Both participants and recipients come from a low‐income, predominantly African‐American community in the United States. To examine this issue, we introduce a "Comparative Dictator Game, " where participants make dictator allocations for four possible recipients, each with different characteristics. We find higher charitable giving toward more "worthy" (i.e., disabled, females who are head of household, and individuals with more children) recipients when individuals donate money to different recipients. Additionally, subjects then select their preferred recipient/allocation. When only one recipient must be selected for a donation, individuals select recipients to whom they provided smaller donations and recipients with children. The results highlight the trade‐off between a desire to engage in philanthropy, supporting those who are deserving, and financial self‐interest.