Home > How You Can Help > Legacy Giving > Gifts of Stocks or Securities

Gifts of Stocks or Securities 

Gifts of appreciated stock or other securities can be a mutually beneficial way of contributing to Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF), allowing you to make an immediate impact on the preservation of Alaska while receiving a significant tax benefit.

When you donate appreciated securities that you have held for at least one year, you can deduct the full fair market value of the securities on your federal income tax return, completely avoiding capital gains taxes that would have been due had you sold the securities.

Donating stock to ACF is straightforward, usually involving a wire transfer of shares from your brokerage account into ACF’s brokerage account. It is recommended that ACF sell or trade your gifted assets, without tax liability, and put all the proceeds to work protecting Alaska’s environment.  Steps for donating stock:

  1. Contact ACF’s Finance office at 907-276-1917. In order to ensure that ACF is able to accept your gift, please provide the following information:  1) your intent to make a gift of stock; 2) the nature of the transfer you are considering; and 3) whether it will be designated for an unrestricted gift, or a contribution to one of our endowment funds or if there is another purpose. ACF’s Finance office will provide you with the information you and your broker or financial representative will need to execute the wire transfer. If you plan on making a transfer of securities other than by wire—such as a transfer of paper stock certificates, mutual fund shares, or closely held stock in your privately held company—ACF will provide you with special instructions and information.
  2. Contact your broker or other financial representative. Provide your broker with the wire transfer instructions and contact information that ACF has provided to you. Be sure to copy ACF’s Finance office on your correspondence and let us know when the transfer is being made so that we can ensure a timely transfer of the stock and ideally achieve the optimum market value.
  3. Claim your tax benefits. As the donor, you are responsible for determining the market value of the securities that you contribute. Most often, for publicly traded stock, the market value will be the mean of the high and low selling price of the stock on the date that it is transferred into ACF’s brokerage account, multiplied by the number of shares transferred. If you are transferring stock that does not trade daily, is in paper certificate form, or is otherwise not a routine security, other IRS rules will apply in determining market value. Your financial or tax advisor can assist you in determining the appropriate value of your stock.
  4. Keep your ACF thank you letter.  ACF will send you a thank you letter for your gift confirming the type of stock and the number of shares. You will also need to include IRS form 8283 with your federal income tax return in order to claim a charitable tax deduction for your gift of stock.

Note: If you hold stock that has depreciated, but are considering selling the stock to donate the proceeds to ACF, you can claim a charitable tax deduction for the market value of the stock based on the date that you transfer it to ACF. You may be able to further reduce your income tax obligation by reflecting the loss in value on your federal tax return.

For more information or to initiate a gift of stock, bonds or other securities, call ACF at 907-276-1917, or consult with your financial advisor.

The information provided on this website is for general educational and public benefit purposes. Concepts described are effective only when used as part of an overall, carefully considered estate and financial plan. Inappropriate application of these concepts can have negative consequences. Anyone viewing this material is strongly encouraged to seek counsel from a qualified legal, accounting, and/or financial advisor prior to applying any of the information and ideas presented within these web pages to his or her own particular situation.

Alaska Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution to ACF may qualify for a tax deduction based on your individual circumstance. ACF’s tax identification number is 92-0061466. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.