Donor Giving Increases With Incentives That Appeal to Sense of Social Status

Exclusive or high-profile benefits, such as invitations to dinner parties and other special events, are by far the strongest incentives for donors to support charities, above and beyond the so-called "warm glow" of giving. The study analyzed donor and related demographic data for 10 of Pittsburgh's largest cultural and environmental organizations, unearthing compelling evidence that appealing to donors' sense of "status" is essential for effective fundraising.