Gift of Securities Profile

Most of us reach for our checkbook or credit card when making a charitable gift. But for many people there is a more advantageous way to give. A gift of stocks, bonds, or mutual fund shares -- if they have appreciated in value - has several major advantages over a cash gift. Longtime Youth Services' supporter Ben Underhill discovered what a wonderful way this is to make a gift. He can deduct the full, appreciated value of his stock gifts to Youth Services and avoid paying capital gains tax on their appreciation in value if he files an itemized tax return. For example, if he bought shares of stock or a mutual fund for $500 that were worth $1,000 the day he donated them to Youth Services, he would receive a charitable deduction of $1,000 or $500 more than he originally paid for the investment. Moreover, he would avoid paying capital gains tax on their appreciation, and Youth Services would benefit from the appreciated stock value.

By making a gift of appreciated securities, you can avoid the burden of a capital gains tax assessment and preserve cash assets. End-of-year donors are encouraged to call their brokers in late November or early December to ensure stocks are transferred by December 31.

To transfer a gift of stock to Youth Services, please use our account at: Merrill Lynch, PO Box 796, 79 Main Street, Brattleboro VT 05302-0796. Please use the following information: Routing Number # 5198 for the benefit of Youth Services, Inc., Acct Number 6QW-02040. Youth Services' Federal Tax ID# is 03-0287694.

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