A great way to maximize your giving.

Do you own stock that has greatly appreciated in value? If you're looking for a way to expand your giving to Compassion, donating such an asset may be an excellent way to do that!

How does it work?
Donating appreciated stock allows you to contribute a sizable gift, even if the amount you initially invested was relatively small. For instance, perhaps you bought $1,000 of stock five years ago and that stock is now worth $5,000. By donating it to Compassion, you are able to donate $4,000 more than you originally invested.

And even though you paid only $1,000 for the stock, you receive a $5,000 charitable income tax deduction in the year you donate the stock. In addition, you avoid the capital gain tax or brokerage fee that may be incurred in selling a stock.

If you have owned a stock for at least one year and are interested in donating it to Compassion, just follow a few simple steps.

If you have possession of the actual paper certificate:

• Provide Compassion with a letter of instruction that includes the following information:
  • indication of how you wish to have the funds from your certificate applied
         -to your sponsored child
         -to a specific supplemental fund 
  • the number and kind of shares you plan to donate
  • a statement that the stock is a contribution to Compassion and that you release all claim to the stock
• In the same envelope, please include an Irrevocable Stock or Bond Power form.
  • Your signature(s) on the form must appear just as it does on the stock certificate.
  • You need to sign the form in the presence of a bank officer to receive a medallion signature guarantee. (Please be aware that a signature guarantee is not the same as a notarized signature and cannot be substituted in this transfer.)
• In a separate envelope, please mail the unsigned stock certificate to Compassion by registered mail with a request for a delivery receipt. Our address is:

Compassion International
Attn: Donor Relations
12290 Voyager Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

For a broker-to-broker exchange:

• Send Compassion a letter or e-mail of instruction as noted above.
• Contact us to obtain our brokerage information. 

 Want to learn more? Contact us about gifts of stock.