Hi -,
Last year, I visited Zimbabwe with a small group of charity: water supporters to see the impact of clean water firsthand. One morning, riding in the back of an old Land Cruiser along the unpaved roads of rural Zimbabwe, the conversation turned to giving.
"We just donate stock directly to you guys. It's simple, and it ends up going further than writing a check."
It was a simple and profound statement that stuck with me. And that second part is worth unpacking.
It comes down to how the IRS treats the gift: by donating the shares directly to charity, you skip the capital gains tax entirely while still deducting the full value of the gift. The result? More of your gift brings people clean water, and less is lost to taxes.
For this couple, it was a thoughtful decision – a practical way to put more toward clean water by donating from assets they already owned, rather than from day-to-day income.
That kind of thinking comes up more around this time of year, when many people are reviewing finances and turning the page on tax season. And I've found that most supporters are surprised by how straightforward stock giving actually is.
If you've ever wondered whether donating stock could be a meaningful way to support clean water, click here to see how it works.
With gratitude,
Kees (Case)
Associate Director of Key Relationships,
Legacy & Asset Giving
