Are you a charity?  

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If you answered yes to the above question, such as Games Done Quick or the GuardianCon Charity Marathon, then you have every right to call an individual sending money to you during a live stream a donation. I will not argue with you about that.

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If you answered no, then we need to have a talk. I am sorry, it is not a donation. You are someone performing a service to a group of individuals who enjoy that service you are providing. Their support is not a donation. Their support is not out of feeling a need to contribute to a cause that helps to benefit the lives of those facing some life consequences beyond their control.

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You are just like a person working in a service industry. You do not get donations. You get tips. TIPS!

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Let me say that again, just to make my point. You do not get donations. You get tips. TIPS!

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Let us take a closer look. Have you ever been out at a nice restaurant? Of course, you have. Were you provided a service while enjoying this dining experience? You were provided several, but the main one I want to focus on is that of the wait staff. Did they do everything they could to make your experience a great one or at least a damn good one? Of course, they did. His or her job depended upon the fact that you were happy with your experience. In return for this service, you are expected to provide them with a little something extra above the cost of your meal. This is commonly known as a tip. You provide this tip based on the service the waiter or waitress provided.  

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This also applies to something like food delivery. I have worked as a pizza delivery driver in my younger days. I did my best to ensure that the customer received the food that was ordered in a reasonable about of time, still at a proper temperature, and in the best condition as possible. That service is a valuable skill and deserves to be compensated for it being done well.  

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See my point? You are providing the viewers of your stream with a service. That service is a free source of entertainment via your broadcast. Your viewers do not have to pay a single cent to enjoy your entertainment, unless you are one of those Twitch Affiliates that thinks hiding content behind the paywall is going to help them gain subscribers. They can choose to watch you, at no cost, or not. If they want to support you, they can do so in many ways, but none of these are donations, because you are not a charity. Your life will go one with or without their support. If they enjoy you and want to support you beyond a subscribing to your stream, they can do so by providing you with a tip for the enjoyment you have provided them.  

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Please, stop calling it a donation. It is not a donation and you are not a charity. Call it a tip. That is what it is… A TIP!

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