Non-cash Assets

Donating non-cash assets such as real estate, securities, or personal property can bring significant tax benefits and provide a transformative impact on nonprofits like the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Navigating the transfer of these assets may seem complex, but our advancement team is here to help.

Tax Benefits

When you sell an appreciated asset you may owe significant capital gains tax. By donating part of or all the asset to the BBC instead, you often reduce or eliminate these taxes, maximize your gift’s value.

Increase the Impact of Your Gift

High-value assets like real estate or securities have the potential to transform conservation at the BBC. Your generosity fuels groundbreaking research for vulnerable salt marshes, a proactive approach to land conservation, restoration of vital waterways, and youth programming. With your support, you help us pave the way for cleaner, healthier water across the watershed for generations to come.

Get Started with Non-Cash Asset Giving Through Charitable IRA Rollovers

If you are 70.5 or older, your donations could save you more on your tax bill. BBC donors who are 70.5 or older are eligible to make tax-free donations from their IRAs, known as Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD), regardless of whether they itemize deductions on their tax returns.

A non-cash asset donation is when you give something valuable other than cash to a charity. Instead of writing a check, you donate items like stocks, real estate, business interests, vehicles, cryptocurrency, artwork, collectibles, and other valuable property.

Donating assets directly can help avoid capital gains taxes and increase the value of your gift. You may also receive a charitable tax deduction based on the asset’s fair market value.

To make a gift using a non-cash asset, we will ask a few key questions to determine its viability, including the type of asset, its approximate value, the likely exit or liquidity plan, and whether there is any debt or other encumbrances. After gathering this initial information, we can guide you on the best next steps for evaluation and help facilitate the process to ensure your gift has the greatest impact for you and the BBC.

Appraisals are generally required for non-cash asset gifts (excluding publicly traded securities) when the claimed charitable deduction exceeds $5,000, as mandated by the IRS to determine the asset’s fair market value.
The appraisal must be conducted by a qualified independent appraiser and completed no earlier than 60 days before the donation date.
 

Individuals should consider gifting non-cash assets if:
•    They are invested in highly appreciated assets and wish to take advantage of charitable incentives to maximize their tax savings and rebalance their portfolios.
•    Those with a large taxable estates may wish to consider gifting a portion of their holdings to minimize tax liability for loved ones who are beneficiaries.


Business owners should consider gifting non-cash assets if:
•    They are interested in diversifying their portfolio and donating a portion of their privately held business interests to maximize tax savings.
•    An upcoming liquidation event is approaching, and an owner(s) is interested in donating a portion of their ownership to make an impactful gift with minimal tax liability.
 

Start Planning Today

Our advancement team welcomes the opportunity to explore planned gift possibilities, toward the goal of meeting your financial and philanthropic goals. Whether your interest is naming BBC in your will, establishing a charitable gift annuity, or pursuing a more complex estate planning tool, please contact John Lanham, VP of Advancement at (508) 999-6363 x. 236 or at lanham@savebuzzardsbay.org.

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