Why do we see this 'Time-Ask Effect'? Perhaps it is because thinking about spending time on something activates a mindset of emotional meaning and satisfaction, allowing a donor to connect emotionally with a charity, whereas thinking about spending money activates a purely instrumental mindset.15 Whatever the reason, asking for time before money may result in more of both.

I must be more cynical than you. I'd think that if people said "yes", then they've already committed themselves to the organization and so would to give money, and/or if they said no, they would be feeling unpleasantly non-altruistic and would give money to assuage their conscience. Did the studies show differences in the money-ask broken down by whether they said yes or no to the time-ask?

Also, is there any data on whether people feel happier only after donating to fuzzy charities like the local animal shelter, or whether they'll also feel happier donating to something very abstract like SIAI?