How donating stock instead of cash can maximize your charitable impact.
When most people think about charitable giving, they think about writing a check or making an online donation. But if you’ve owned stocks or mutual funds that have increased in value over time, there may be a more tax-efficient way to support the causes you care about.
By contributing appreciated securities to a charitable fund at the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, you may be able to make a larger charitable impact while avoiding capital gains taxes that could result from selling those investments first.
What Are Appreciated Securities?
Appreciated securities are investments, such as stocks or mutual funds, that have increased in value since you purchased them.
For example, imagine you purchased stock years ago for $5,000, and today it’s worth $20,000. If you sell the stock, you may owe capital gains tax on the increase in value.
Rather than selling your appreciated securities first, you may be able to transfer them directly to the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation to establish or grow an eligible charitable fund. This approach may help you avoid capital gains tax while creating a lasting impact in Crawford County.
Why Donate Stock Instead of Cash?
For many donors, giving appreciated securities offers several advantages:
- Potentially avoid paying capital gains tax on appreciated investments.
- Receive a charitable income tax deduction if you itemize deductions (subject to IRS rules).
- Preserve cash for other financial goals.
- Make a larger charitable gift than you might have otherwise considered.
As always, we encourage you to consult your financial advisor or tax professional to determine how these benefits apply to your individual situation.
How Can the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation Help?
A gift of appreciated securities can support many of the charitable opportunities available through Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, including:
- The Community Impact Fund, which helps the Foundation respond to changing community needs by making grants where they can have the greatest impact.
- Scholarship funds, which help local students pursue their educational goals.
- Organizational endowment funds, which provide a permanent source of support for local nonprofit organizations.
- Designated funds, which provide ongoing support to the charitable organizations you choose.
- Area of Interest funds, which support the causes you’re most passionate about, such as education, the arts, health, or the environment.
- A new charitable fund, created to reflect your family’s values and support the causes that matter most to you for generations to come.
Our team can also work directly with you and your financial advisor to help facilitate the transfer process.
Why Consider Giving Stock?
Many people hold appreciated investments for years without realizing they can become a powerful charitable gift.
If you’re already planning to make a charitable contribution, donating appreciated securities instead of selling them first may allow you to maximize both your gift and its impact.
It’s one more way to invest in the future of Crawford County while making the most of your charitable giving.
We’re Here to Help
If you’re considering donating appreciated securities, we’d be happy to discuss your options.
At the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, we’ve helped many individuals and families make meaningful charitable gifts that reflect their values and create lasting impact throughout Crawford County. Whether you’re interested in supporting an existing fund or establishing a new one, we’re here to answer your questions and work alongside you and your professional advisor.
Integrity is at the heart of everything we do. We value the trust our donors place in us and treat every conversation with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Christian Maher
Executive Director
Email: executive@crawfordheritage.org
Phone: 814-336-5206