Give if you win
Ask for *conditional* commitments from uncertain unrealized income. E.g., ask “if you get a raise next year, would you donate 10% of your salary increase?” This can be a nonbinding pledge you're reminded of, or a more formal commitment. (See giveifyouwin.org.)
Alternative tool name:
Tool variation:
Category: Timing/conditionality, income source
Sub-category: Conditionality
Relevant theories: Loss aversion, Self-signaling
Type of evidence: Field-exp-charity, Lab-charity
Evidence strength (ad hoc assessment): 5
Main findings
People facing uncertain gains donate more if asked to donate in advance, conditionally on positive outcome. Also, people who have just failed to win a bonus are particularly unlikely to donate (relative to winners or relative to those with no possibility of a gain).
Discussion
Practical relevance
No particular relevance to EA; general not superpower
Use cases
Founders pledge, GWWC_pledge, Dartmouth founders project, City Bonus Pledge (proposed), Haas MBA 101% Giving campaign
Prevalence:
Rare?
Key papers
Secondary papers
Contributors David Reinstein
Discussion