Give Shares Rather Than Cash
Transferring appreciated securities directly is often the most efficient way to make a significant gift.
Selling an appreciated position and donating the proceeds triggers capital gains tax on the sale. Transferring the shares themselves does not, which can leave meaningfully more working for the mission from the same position.
For donors whose wealth sits in equity rather than cash, this is usually the difference between a gift they can make comfortably and one they cannot.
How It Works
Tell us what you intend to transfer and which brokerage holds it.
We send you written transfer instructions for our account.
You instruct your broker to transfer the shares.
We value the gift on the date of transfer and send your acknowledgment.
Tax and Substantiation
For publicly traded securities held longer than one year, a donor can generally deduct fair market value and avoid the capital gains tax a sale would have triggered.
Securities held one year or less are generally treated differently. Your adviser can confirm what applies to your position.
A non-cash gift over $500 generally requires IRS Form 8283 with your return. Above $5,000 the IRS generally also requires a qualified appraisal, and we countersign the donee section once the gift is accepted.
Balance Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. EIN 99-1105175.
Balance Fund cannot provide tax or legal advice. Please consult your own adviser about the treatment of any gift.
Start the Conversation
Share the basics and we will send written transfer instructions. We never send account details unprompted.
Put the power of an asset to work
Not Sure Which Route Fits?
Tell us roughly what you have in mind and we will point you to the simplest path.