Stock & securities giving

Donate appreciated stock

Donating stock, mutual fund shares, or other securities you've held for more than a year is often one of the most tax-efficient ways to support Cancer Explained — for many donors, it means a bigger gift and a bigger deduction than giving cash.

Start my stock gift

Emails donate@cancerexplained.org — we'll send transfer details for your broker.

Why donate stock instead of cash?

Avoid capital gains tax

Selling appreciated stock yourself triggers capital gains tax on the growth. Donating the shares directly instead means neither you nor Cancer Explained owes that tax on the transfer.

Deduct the full fair market value

For donors who itemize, a gift of stock held more than a year is generally deductible at its full fair market value on the date of the gift — not just what you originally paid — up to IRS limits.

Often a larger gift, at the same cost to you

Because you skip the tax bill from selling first, the same underlying asset can translate into a bigger gift to our work and a bigger deduction for you.

Example: stock bought for $2,000 that's now worth $10,000 — sold first, capital gains tax shrinks what you have left to give and what you can deduct. Donated directly, the full $10,000 moves to Cancer Explained with no capital gains tax triggered, and you can generally deduct the full fair market value if you itemize (subject to IRS limits). This is general information, not individual tax advice — talk with a tax advisor to confirm how it applies to you.

How to donate stock to us

Tell us a gift is coming

Email donate@cancerexplained.org with the stock name and approximate number of shares. Stock transfers arrive without your name attached, so this is how we match your gift to you and send a timely tax receipt.

We send you transfer details

We'll reply with National Cancer Information Foundation's brokerage account and DTC (Depository Trust Company) transfer information so your broker can complete the transfer.

Instruct your broker

Ask your broker for a “charitable stock gift” or “DTC transfer” — most brokerages have a standard form for this.

We confirm receipt

Once the shares arrive, we send a written acknowledgment with the security name, share count, and transfer date for your tax records.

Email us to get started

Giving yourself time before year-end helps — stock transfers can take several business days to settle, especially in late December.

Brokerage instructions

Most brokerages publish their own step-by-step stock-donation instructions. One example is linked below; for your own broker, search its help pages or ask directly for a "charitable stock gift" or "DTC transfer" form.

Merrill / Bank of America

Prefer to give through a donor-advised fund?

Many donors contribute appreciated stock into a donor-advised fund (DAF) first, then recommend grants to charities over time. Common DAF sponsors include:

Already have a DAF? Recommend a grant to us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Which stock gifts get these tax benefits?

If you've held a stock, mutual fund, or other security for more than a year and it has grown in value, donating the shares directly — rather than selling them and donating the proceeds — generally lets you avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation and deduct the full fair market value if you itemize. See the benefits above for details.

What information does my broker need?

Your broker will typically ask for the security name and number of shares, National Cancer Information Foundation's brokerage firm name, our brokerage account number, and our DTC (Depository Trust Company) number. Email donate@cancerexplained.org and we'll send these details directly.

How is a stock gift valued for tax purposes?

Generally at the average of the high and low trading price on the date the shares are legally transferred into our account — not the date you contacted your broker. Ask your broker to confirm the settlement date and keep a record of it.

Do I need to sell the stock first?

No. The tax advantages depend on transferring the shares themselves, not selling them and donating the cash. Selling first and donating the proceeds triggers the capital gains tax this approach is meant to avoid.

Can I donate stock from a donor-advised fund instead?

Yes — many donors contribute appreciated stock into a donor-advised fund (DAF) and then recommend grants to charities like ours over time. See our donor-advised fund giving page for how that works.

Is this individual tax advice?

No. This page explains the general mechanics of stock gifting. Deduction limits, holding-period rules, and how they apply to your specific tax situation vary by person — talk with a tax advisor or financial planner before making a significant stock gift.

Questions about donating stock? Email donate@cancerexplained.org.

Cancer Explained does not sell medical information or require payment to access its educational tools. Donations help support source verification, accessibility, technology, translations, and free patient resources.

National Cancer Information Foundation is recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, effective July 7, 2026, and is classified as a public charity under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law; your own deductibility depends on your individual tax situation, so please consult your tax advisor for specifics. This covers gifts made on or after July 7, 2026 — including gifts made before the IRS letter itself arrived — since the exemption is effective retroactive to that date.

No goods or services are provided in exchange for donations unless specifically stated.