Appreciated stock is an excellent charitable gift
Donating appreciated stock is a powerful way to advance climate solutions and may offer greater tax benefits than donating cash. These benefits can include:
- Receiving a federal income charitable contribution tax deduction, which is based on the stock’s fair market value on the date of the gift. If the stock has been held for more than one year, this deduction can be up to 30% of your adjusted gross income.
- Receiving a carryover deduction for up to five additional years if the fair market value of the gift is more than 30% of your adjusted gross income.
- Avoiding capital gains tax that would be due if you sold the appreciated stock.
Important Considerations
- Stock owned for less than a year is considered a short-term asset and usually offers limited tax benefits.
- If the stock has decreased in value, it may be advantageous to sell the stock first and then make a charitable cash gift, rather than transferring direct ownership of the stock. This allows you to claim a capital loss on federal taxes while still taking a charitable deduction of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income.
Please note that gifts of stock to 501(c)(3) Citizens’ Climate Education (CCE) are tax-deductible, whereas gifts to 501(c)(4) Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) are not tax-deductible. Gifts to CCL can still provide certain benefits, however, such as avoidance of capital gains taxes.
For more information on making a gift of stock, please email our Development Team at or call our home office at 619-437-7142.
*Every financial situation is different, so we recommend consulting a financial advisor or professional to understand the tax implications of your gift.
