A Tax-Savvy Way to Benefit from Growing Assets

Securities and mutual funds that have increased in value and been held for more than one year are popular assets to use when making a gift to the Sierra Club Foundation. Making a gift of securities or mutual funds offers you the chance to support our work while realizing important benefits for yourself.

When you donate appreciated securities or mutual funds in support of our mission, you can reduce or even eliminate federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer.

Securities are most often used to support our work in the form of:

A gift in your will or living trust. This future gift allows you the flexibility to change your mind. You can continue to receive dividends and participate in shareholder votes, and the securities are still yours if you need them for other expenses during your lifetime.

A transfer on death (TOD) account.* By placing a TOD designation on your brokerage or investment account, that account will be paid to one or more persons or charities after your lifetime.

A life income gift. Funding a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust with appreciated securities allows you to support our mission while receiving steady income and other financial benefits.

An outright gift. When you donate securities to the Sierra Club Foundation, you receive the same income tax savings that you would if you wrote a check, but with the added benefit of eliminating capital gains taxes on the transfer, which can be as high as 20%.

*State laws govern transfer on death accounts. Please consult with your bank representative or investment advisor if you are considering this gift.