Gifts of Stock

Thank you for your interest in supporting Chicago Public Media with a gift of stock.  A gift of appreciated securities that you have held for more than one year is frequently the most economical way to give.  A gift of appreciated stock generally offers significant tax savings—you may avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of the stock, and you may receive an income tax deduction for the full fair-market value of the stock at the time of the gift. Please consult with your tax advisors to determine how, specifically, the charitable deduction will work for your unique tax situation.

Please see below for information on how to give securities to Chicago Public Media.

Securities Held by Your Bank or Broker

The most common and efficient method of giving securities is an electronic transfer using this two-step process through which your broker can transfer shares using the Chicago Public Media DTC number.

• Step 1: Inform Jesse Trevino, Chicago Public Media’s Stewardship Manager, of your intent to donate securities (312-948-4645).  He will send you the Chicago Public Media Stock Transfer Form to aid in your transaction.
• Step 2: Complete the Chicago Public Media Stock Transfer Form and submit it to your financial advisor.

Please do not ask your bank or broker to proceed with the transfer until speaking with a representative at our office.  This is important because donor information does not automatically transfer with the DTC wiring system.  We cannot properly attribute or acknowledge your donation if you or your broker do not inform us that the donation is forthcoming.

For More Information

If you have any questions, please contact Jesse Trevino, Stewardship Manager, at 312-948-4645.

Giving Stock – FAQ

Please consult with your tax advisors to determine how, specifically, the charitable deduction will work for your unique tax situation.

What are the benefits of giving stock?

• You receive gift credit and, depending on your specific tax situation, you may receive an immediate income tax deduction for the fair market value of the securities on the date of transfer, no matter what you originally paid for them
• You pay no capital gains tax on the securities you donate.

Securities fluctuate in price.  How will my stocks be valued?

• We will issue an acknowledgement letter indicating the high and low prices for the security on the date of its transfer to us. Your tax advisor will use this information to determine the value of the donation.
• If the stock you donate is held by your broker, the gift date is the day the stock reaches our account.

Is it difficult to transfer securities?

• Not at all, and we can help you through every step of the process. Click here for all the details.

Shouldn’t I just sell the stock first and contribute the proceeds to Chicago Public Media?

• Even though you will receive a deduction, you will pay capital gains tax on the sale, eliminating a key tax benefit of your gift.

Can I contribute stocks that have declined in value?

• The fair-market value deduction rule works against you: if you bought the stock for $50,000 and it's now worth $30,000, your charitable deduction will be limited to $30,000. You won't be able to claim a capital loss by making the transfer to us, either. Instead, you are better off to sell the depreciated stock, claim the resulting tax loss as a deduction, then make a deductible cash gift to Chicago Public Media with the proceeds of that sale.

If you have any questions, please contact Jesse Trevino, Stewardship Manager, at 312.948.4645