Gratitude, finance, and financial gratitude reminders in charitable giving

Abstract

An initial reminder of three good things (TGT) increases charitable giving intentions, while reminders of three good financial things (TGFT) or three financial things (TFT) reduce them. Repeating these reminders daily during the following seven days results in even higher donation intentions for TGT, but shows no consistent additional effects for TGFT or TFT. Donation intentions measured one or thirty days after stopping these reminders fall significantly faster for TGT. No such effects arise for TGFT or TFT. Gratitude reminders without financial references increase donation intentions, especially when repeated over time. However, this gratitude effect fades after the reminders stop.