Charitable giving for cultural goods: Asymmetric gender responses to votes on tax increases

We examine the relationship between taxpayer support of cultural goods and charitable donations. Using a Dictator Game, subjects are paired with a real library as the recipient. Using outcomes from recent votes to increase property taxes to support local public libraries, we find a striking gender discrepancy. While slight reductions arise for both when the vote passes, female subjects increase their giving substantially in response to the ballot measure’s failure. This effect is driven by women donating all of their endowment more frequently. •We examine the relationship between taxpayer support of cultural goods and charitable donations.•We conduct a Dictator Game in which the recipient is a real library.•Treatments differ in whether a ballot measure to raise property taxes to support the library was successful.•We document an important gender difference in donation.•When the vote fails, women increase their contributions substantially.