Keep Your Stock Working with Tax-Smart Giving that Changes Lives

Donating appreciated stock held for over a year allows you to avoid paying capital gains tax while still receiving a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock, making it a more tax-efficient way to give.

Overflow can process a variety of publicly traded stocks. This includes stock traded on U.S. markets, as well as some foreign stocks on a case-by-case basis. 

Types of stocks processed by Overflow

• Publicly traded stock: Any common stock available on the U.S. stock market can be donated. 

• Stock from retirement accounts: Overflow can process whole shares of publicly traded stock from retirement accounts like 401(k), 403(b), Roth IRA, and Traditional IRA. 

• ETFs and mutual funds: These can be transferred, but depending on the fund and value, some brokerages may impose restrictions. Overflow offers concierge services to help navigate these situations.

• Employee compensation stock: Donors can give company stock they received as part of their compensation package. However, if the stock was distributed with a trading window restriction, it must be donated during that open window.

What Overflow does not process:

• Fractional shares: Overflow does not accept donations of fractional shares.

• Private stock: The platform does not currently facilitate donations of stock in privately held companies.

• International stock (with exceptions): While the platform is primarily for U.S. market exchanges, it may handle some foreign stocks through its concierge service.

You can make a larger impact with your gift, avoid capital gains taxes, and still receive an income tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock. It’s a win for you and Seeds for a Future.

Yes, don’t sell the stock yourself and then donate the cash, or you’ll trigger a taxable event.

Be sure you’ve held the stock for at least 12 months. If it’s held for less than a year, you may not receive the full tax benefits—you could owe capital gains tax and may only be able to deduct the amount you originally paid.

Yes. Once the stock is received, Seeds for a Future will send you a tax acknowledgment letter stating the number and type of shares donated and the date of the gift. You’ll use the fair market value on the date of transfer for your records.