As a general rule, a gift of stock (or other appreciated property) entitles you to a tax deduction for the market value of the donated stock (not just your cost basis). If the stock you wish to donate has been held for more than one year, you may be able to avoid capital gains tax on any appreciation of the stock by donating the stock prior to sale. The Alliance for the Arts benefits by selling the stock without paying taxes on the gain, and you benefit from making a contribution that would be larger than what you might have been able to donate in cash. It is generally not to your maximum tax benefit to donate securities which have been held less than one year or which are valued at less than your cost.  However, there are exceptions to these rules.  Please consult qualified tax counsel for advice about our specific circumstance. Download Stock Transfer Form The information in this website is not intended as legal advice.  For legal advice, please consult an attorney.  Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change.  References to income tax apply to federal taxes only.  Federal estate tax, state income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.