For most of my life, I have thought of “donors” in a very limited way. My assumptions have been that “they” are:
Wealthy. I say this without even defining wealth.
Give to nonprofits in big ways. I haven’t thought that my $25 membership fee to the local public radio station qualifies me as a “donor” but rather as one making a donation.
Courted. Someone on behalf of a nonprofit reaches out to them (the donor) in a way that looks like courtship — if you like us we like you and we’ll do whatever we can to make this worth your while.
Not me. That’s right. I have never once thought of myself as a donor. Yet…I give or donate blood, money, time, sweat and countless hours of advice without ever expecting anything back.
I’m almost embarrassed by my assumptions and how they have created a mental dividing line between myself and others when all along I am just as much of a donor as anyone else.
Next time someone throws the terms “donors” around, I will ask them how they define the term and whether or not they would put themselves in the same category and why or why not.