Who is categorized as a 'shareholder' in a corporation?

A shareholder is defined as an individual or institution that owns shares in a corporation. This ownership allows them to have a financial stake in the company and, depending on the type and number of shares held, may grant them voting rights on corporate matters, such as board member elections or significant policy changes.

While employees with stock options may benefit from being able to purchase shares in the future, they aren't necessarily considered shareholders until they actually own the shares. Donors to charities or board members may play critical roles in a corporation, but they do not fit the specific definition of a shareholder, which is directly tied to owning shares in the company. Thus, the option that correctly identifies a shareholder is one that denotes direct ownership of a portion of the corporation through shares.