Redesigning the Donation Box: The Effect of Animal Banks on Donations for Animal Welfare

Results from this article showed that the exterior of a donation box plays a role in how much money finds its way inside. In this study, five boxes seeking charitable donations for animal protection were placed near a cash register in various bakeries. Four were in the shape of an animal (a cat, cow, dog, or pig) and the fifth was a simple cube. Results showed that the banks shaped as a cat or a dog brought in more contributions than the others. This is an interesting finding for advocates to consider as they look for increasingly creative ways to capture the attention of potential donors.

[Abstract excerpted from original source.]

“Some recent studies have shown that physical objects present in the environment can affect altruism. This effect was demonstrated in the context of fundraising for animals. Different banks were placed near the cash register in eight bakeries with a message explaining that the solicitation was for animal welfare. The banks were either in the shape of a dog, a cat, a cow, a pig, or a classic cube. Results showed that more donations were given with the dog and cat banks, whereas no difference in donations was found among the three other banks.”