Three Essays on Donations

This doctoral thesis explores the intersection of societal influences and individual prosocial behaviors, with a focus on the influence of information on charity donations and the impact of xenophobic politics, and gender differences in blood donation setting. In Chapter 1, "Optimal Information in Charity Donations," it is analyzed, in an online experimental setting, how different types of information (cause-impact and output-impact) and donor characteristics (warm-glow altruists vs. pure altruists) influence endowment allocation choices in a Dictator Game involving a Non-Profit Organization (NPO). Chapter 2, "The Effect of Xenophobic Politics on Locals’ and Immigrants’ Prosocial Behavior," examines the repercussions of the rise in populist, anti-immigrant politics on prosocial behaviors. Utilizing data from the Associazione Volontari Italiani del Sangue (AVIS) and focusing on municipal election timings, this study seeks to identifies whether a decrease in civic engagement, proxied by blood donations, occurs as a consequence of a rise in popularity of anti-immigration parties. Chapter 3, "Proximity Matters: Exploring the Influence of Distance on Gender Differences in Blood Donation Dropouts," investigates the role of geographical distance and its impact on the gender gap in blood donation behavior. By considering the spatial distribution of donors and their proximity to donation centers, this research aims to uncover underlying factors contributing to gender-specific donation patterns. Together, these chapters provide comprehensive insights into how information, political climate, and logistical factors shape individual and collective prosocial actions, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in fostering or hindering altruistic behaviors.