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Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

Many supporters of Lycoming College find that donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way to make their gift. Gifts of appreciated assets avoid capital gains taxes and qualify as a charitable deduction for income tax purposes, if you itemize. They may also be eligible to be matched by your employer!

How to make a gift of stocks, bonds or mutual funds

By electronic transfer - Please contact us for instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to Lycoming College.

By certified mail - If you hold securities in certificate form, you will need to mail two envelopes separately to complete your gift. In the first envelope, place the unsigned stock certificate(s). In the other envelope, include a signed stock power for each certificate. You may obtain this power from your broker or bank. Please remember to use certified mail.

Benefits of giving appreciated stock instead of cash

When you make a charitable gift of cash, you get an income tax charitable deduction only. When you make a charitable gift of the same value with appreciate stock, held for more than one year, you get the same income tax charitable deduction and you avoid capital gains tax on all of your capital gain. The more highly appreciated your stock, the more capital gains tax you will avoid.

More on gifts of stocks and bonds

There are special rules for valuing a gift of stock. The value of a charitable gift of stock is determined by taking the mean between the high and low stock price on the date of the gift. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.

Contact us

If you have any questions about gifts of stocks and bonds, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you and answer any questions that you have.