Gifts of stock, appreciated securities or property often provide added tax advantages to the contributor. The advantage of a stock donation is that you — the donor — avoid paying capital gains tax on the market value appreciation of the shares. This tax benefit can reduce the cost of the gift when long or mid-term appreciated stock is donated.

How to Transfer Stock Electronically That is Held in a Brokerage Account

Transferring shares electronically is the easiest way to give stock. Please inform your broker of the name of the stock or securities and the number of shares to transfer to the Sutter Health foundation of your choice. Brokerage account information is listed below.

We’ll use the date the shares enter our account as the gift date and credit you with the market value for that date for your tax purposes. Electronic stock transfers sent to our foundations do not always include all the donor information required by our philanthropy teams. Please be sure to call or email your foundation’s contact to let them know a stock gift is in process, so that we may track your gift accordingly.

How to Donate a Stock Certificate That is in Your Possession via Mail

Do not sign the certificates. Send them via registered mail to your foundation’s broker (see below).

For each certificate, you must provide a signed stock power. Please send the document to your foundation’s broker in a separate envelope. This is important for security reasons. Do not fill in any information on the stock power. Simply sign the document; the foundation’s broker will complete the document. The name on the signature line of the stock power must be identical to the owner’s name on the stock certificate.

Please attach a cover letter advising your foundation’s broker that you are donating it to the foundation and indicate how you wish to designate your gift. The cover letter should include the foundation name, account number and address.