Giving to Hilltop
Appreciated Stock.
Turn growth in your investments into support for your community. A gift of appreciated stock can help Hilltop provide care, connection, and opportunities throughout western Colorado.
Getting Started
Put your investments to work for your community.
Appreciated stock is stock that has increased in value since you acquired it. Transferring shares directly to a qualified charity can offer a different tax result than selling the shares and donating the cash.
Your support helps Hilltop serve children and families, people receiving brain injury services, older adults, and neighbors working toward safety and independence.
Start by talking with your financial or tax advisor about the shares you plan to give. Then contact our Development Team to confirm acceptance and obtain current transfer instructions.
Before you transfer shares
- Confirm the security can be accepted and request current brokerage instructions.
- Review your cost basis and holding period with your advisor.
- Discuss any Hilltop program you would like to support.
- Notify Development so we can identify your incoming gift.
How to make a stock gift to Hilltop
Coordinate with Hilltop and your broker before initiating a transfer.
1. Request transfer instructions.
Contact Development before sending shares. We will confirm whether Hilltop can accept your proposed gift and provide current recipient and brokerage details.
2. Review the gift with your advisor.
Discuss which shares to give, how long you have held them, and the tax implications. If you intend to give stock, arrange a transfer of the shares rather than selling them first.
3. Ask your broker to transfer.
Give your broker Hilltop’s confirmed instructions and request the transfer. Ask about processing time and any forms your brokerage requires.
4. Notify Hilltop and keep records.
Share your name, security, number of shares, and expected transfer date with Development. Keep your broker’s confirmation and Hilltop’s acknowledgment for your tax records.
Questions about stock gifts
Why give appreciated shares instead of selling them first?
A direct gift of appreciated stock generally avoids realizing the capital gain that a sale by you would trigger. Stock held for more than one year may qualify for a charitable deduction based on fair market value, subject to applicable limits and requirements. Your advisor can assess your circumstances.
Does the length of time I have held the stock matter?
Yes. The tax treatment can differ for shares held more than one year and shares held one year or less. Review the acquisition date, cost basis, and applicable deduction rules with your tax advisor before giving.
Where can I find Hilltop’s brokerage or DTC information?
Request current transfer instructions from our Development Team before initiating your gift. Use the confirmed information provided for your transfer rather than relying on an old instruction sheet.
Can I give mutual funds, restricted shares, or privately held stock?
Contact Development first. These gifts may involve different acceptance requirements, documentation, or processing times. Do not initiate a transfer until Hilltop has confirmed it can receive the specific asset.
Can I support a particular Hilltop program?
Yes, you can discuss your interests with Development before making the transfer. Our team can confirm an appropriate designation and help match the incoming shares to your intended gift.
How is my stock gift valued for tax purposes?
For publicly traded stock with an active market, IRS guidance generally uses the average of the high and low quoted selling prices on the contribution date. Your advisor should determine the applicable date and value; the charity’s eventual sale proceeds may be different.
What records should I keep?
Keep your transfer confirmation, acquisition and cost-basis records, and Hilltop’s written acknowledgment. Ask your tax preparer whether Form 8283 or other documentation is required. You are responsible for determining and reporting the value of your noncash gift.
Can I use the online donation form to transfer stock?
The regular online donation form does not transfer securities from your brokerage account. Request instructions from Development and arrange the transfer through your broker.
What if I want my gift completed by year-end?
Start early and ask your broker about its deadlines. Processing times vary, and submitting a request is not necessarily the same as completing the gift. Confirm the contribution date with your advisor.
Connect With Development
We’ll help coordinate your stock gift.
Tell our Development Team what you plan to give and when. We can confirm gift acceptance, provide current transfer instructions, and help direct your support to an appropriate program.
Helpful details to share
- Your name and preferred contact information
- The name or ticker symbol of the security
- The number of shares and expected transfer date, if known
- Any program you would like to support
Please leave account numbers and login details out of your inquiry.
Let your generosity grow beyond your portfolio.
Connect with Hilltop to take the next step in giving appreciated stock.
Tax information and resources
This page provides general information, not individual tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your advisor about the holding period, valuation, deduction limits, and reporting requirements that apply to your gift.