Working Paper 12/291 - abstract

Increasing charitable giving – what can we learn from economics? (PDF, 441 bkB) (PDF, 440kB)

Sarah Smith

As part of its Big Society agenda, the current Government is keen to encourage a higher level of donations of money to charitable causes. It has highlighted new technologies, new social norms and tax incentives as potential mechanisms for raising giving. This article brings together recent evidence to assess the prospects for achieving the desired “step change in giving”.