donor

Donor is a person or organization that gives something voluntarily, typically money, blood, tissues, organs, or other resources used to help others or support institutions. The term is used in several contexts, with medical, charitable, and scientific meanings. In medicine, donors may be living or deceased, and donations can include blood, bone marrow, stem cells, corneas, kidneys, liver tissue, and other organs. Organ donation relies on consent and allocation systems, and potential donors undergo medical and social screening to determine suitability and compatibility. Blood donation is usually voluntary and regulated, with screening for infectious diseases and careful matching to recipients. Donor registries and consent records help facilitate safe, ethical allocations and preserve donor wishes.

In philanthropy, a donor is an individual or organization that provides financial resources or in-kind gifts to charities, educational institutions, or public programs. Donor involvement ranges from one-time gifts to ongoing support, sometimes organized through donor-advised funds, foundations, or membership societies. Tax treatment, reporting, and governance vary by jurisdiction and institution.

Ethical and legal considerations include voluntariness, informed consent, privacy, and fair access; many systems prohibit payment for human organs and tissues to prevent exploitation. Donor programs emphasize follow-up care when relevant and respect for donor autonomy, including withdrawal of consent. In science and industry, donor concepts appear in semiconductor materials as dopants that donate carriers, such as electrons, to enable specific electronic properties.

In sum, donors contribute resources to advance health, welfare, and knowledge, under frameworks designed to protect donors and recipients.