I've been a Life Member for awhile and last year upgraded to Endowment. It doesn't cost much ($175 I believe) so a LOT of Lifers should upgrade.
Yes, they do send lots of requests for money. Don't send any if you don't want to. Send some if you do. They'll take whatever you want to send. But IMHO, every gun owner should belong.
Anyone paying attention should realize we wouldn't have ANY gun rights by now if it wasn't for the NRA. We would be SUBJECTS. Don't join for whatever excuse you have. You know what they say about excuses.