Professional advisors like you are well aware of the tremendous benefits your clients get when they give appreciated stock, instead of cash, to their Donor Advised Funds at the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC). A regular reminder from you is so important to ensure that your clients are maximizing their charitable giving dollars to not only support their favorite causes, but also to optimize their own financial plans, especially now that stocks have appreciated significantly.
What a difference a year makes.
In August 2022, markets were down 12% for the year and inflation was up 8.3% year-over-year. Perhaps consequently, but then unknown, annual charitable giving was on its way to a rare (fourth time in 40 years) year-over-year decline by 4%, according to Giving USA. This decline was due in part to donors not wanting to give stock at depressed values.
Nearly 12 months later, as of July 2023, markets were up 7.28% year to date and inflation was roughly half at 4.7% year–over-year. Even though the stock market still shows signs of volatility, we are hopeful that charitable giving will rebound.
No matter the times, and even in down markets, some stocks will still out-perform. These holdings are of course excellent candidates for your clients to give to charity and avoid taxes on the capital gains. This year is no different, with stocks like Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, among others, enjoying banner years; Microsoft, Apple, and Nvidia were up 38%, 36% and 228%, respectively through mid-August. For some of your clients, these gains have created concentrated stock positions where you, as an advisor, may believe that portfolio allocations have become imbalanced under the investment strategy you are pursuing. Your clients who support charities through their Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) at CFAAC can consider potentially alleviating this situation through charitable gifts of highly-appreciated stock.
Your clients who give appreciated stock to a DAF can:
- Enjoy the ease of the DAF as an account for current and future charitable giving
- Conveniently support the causes they and their families care about most
- Maintain a mix of assets in the DAF account that are consistent with their investment philosophies
- Benefit from an up-front income tax deduction, avoid capital gains on the assets’ sale within the fund, and grow the proceeds for future grantmaking
- Leave a legacy for children and grandchildren to continue their philanthropic commitments
- Reduce the value of their taxable estate, potentially reducing estate taxes
- Comply with IRS charitable gifting guidelines
- Enjoy supporting charities in their name, the Fund’s name, or anonymously
- Receive a single year-end tax document that summarizes all gifts for tax purposes
By establishing a DAF at CFAAC, your client is part of a community of giving and will have opportunities to collaborate with other donors who share their interests. In addition, your client is supported in strategic grant making, family philanthropy, and opportunities to gain deep knowledge about local issues and nonprofits that are making a difference.
So while it’s nice to see the market’s performance improve, a bonus opportunity lies in your clients’ transferring appreciated stock to a DAF at CFAAC. We are here to help. Call us at 410-280-1102 or email us at info@cfaac.org.