Stock Gifts

If you are facing significant capital gains taxes, making a gift of stock to a charitable institution such as RMI has distinct advantages.

Giving appreciated securities is better than giving cash because you get the tax deduction on the donation at its appreciated value without paying capital gains tax on the appreciation. You'll be providing the same level of support to RMI, but at less cost to you.

For example, suppose the shares you bought in XYZ Corp. for $500 now have a market value of $6,000. If you donate them to RMI, you not only can offset the $6,000 donation against income, you'll also avoid the tax on the $5,500 capital gain. (That's why it's better to transfer the stock to RMI rather than selling it and giving RMI the money.)

This program isn't just for the well-endowed. RMI has received stock gifts ranging from $150 to more than $30,000. And just in case you were wondering, RMI immediately liquidates donated stock — we're not in the business of speculating on the stock market — and doesn't have to pay tax on the cash raised from its sale.

Think of your gift to Rocky Mountain Institute as another savvy investment opportunity — an investment in natural capital, which yields dividends on a global scale.

If you have questions or would like more information on making a gift of securities, please contact Liz Bauer at lbauer@rmi.org or (970) 927-3851.