Make a Gift: Gifts of Stock

Tax Advantages

Contributions of appreciated securities to Calvin College have significant tax advantages:

• No capital gains taxes are payable if the property has been held for more than one year.
• You receive an income tax deduction for the fair-market value.

Important Notes

Please discuss any stock gift in advance with a Calvin Development Officer by calling (616) 526-6090 or (800) 968-4363.

Your tax deduction is the fair market of the stock on the date the stock is transferred into Calvin's account. The fair market value is calculated by taking the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of the transfer.

For proper crediting and acknowledgement, please provide the following information with every stock gift:

• Your name and address
• A project designation or label "undesignated"

Transferring your Stock

Calvin recommends that certificates not be sent to a transfer agent for registering in the college's name. This procedure is unnecessary and results in needless delay of the transfer.

Electronic Transfer

If the securities are located with a broker, they can be delivered electronically. Please ask your broker to contact the Development Office at (616) 526-6090 or (800) 968-4363 or development@calvin.edu for account information.

Mail

Send unendorsed stock certificates(s) by registered mail to Calvin. Enclose a transmittal letter with your name, address, and project designation of the gift.

Send a signed stock power form under separate cover. Calvin can provide you with this form.

Calvin College Development Office
3201 Burton Street, SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA

Hand Deliver

Certificates may be given to a college Development Officer or delivered to the Development Office in the Spoelhof Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am considering making a rather large gift of appreciated stock. May I use my full charitable deduction this year?

A. The full fair market value of gifts of long-term appreciated property is deductible up to 30% of a donor's adjusted gross income (AGI). Any amount over 30% of AGI can be carried forward up to five years.

Q. I have some securities that have declined in value. Are they any special considerations in gifting these?

A. If considering a gift of securities that are below your cost basis, it may be more advantageous for you to sell the securities first, declare a loss for income tax purposes, then donate the proceeds to Calvin.

Q. Can I contribute stock in a closely held corporation?

A. Stock in a closely held corporation may be gifted to Calvin with similar benefits. However, closely held stock may require a certified appraisal for tax purposes.

Q. May I make a gift of mutual fund shares?

A. Yes, but please contact the Development Office directly regarding a gift of mutual fund shares, since there are additional procedures required to complete the gift.