How to Gift to SUM via a Donor Advised Fund or a Stock Donation

A Guide for Tax-Advantaged Giving

Many church members are interested in maximizing their charitable impact through tax-smart giving options. Two of the most effective ways to do this are by using Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) or donating stock. This guide explains both methods and provides step-by-step instructions for giving to our church through these channels.

Giving via Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable investment account that allows you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to charitable organizations like our church over time. For example, you could make a large donation this tax year, get the tax deduction, but spread the contributions over many years.

Steps to Give via DAF

1.    Contact a DAF Provider such as Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, and Daffy. (I’m sure there are others.)

2.    Donate funds to DAF. Once donated, you cannot use them for anything other than charitable giving.

3.    Search for our church in their list of eligible charities. You’ll need our church’s official name, mailing address, and possibly our EIN.

4.    Specify the Gift, either a one-time or a recurring donation.

5.    Indicate the amount, purpose (if any), and whether you want your gift to be anonymous or recognized by your name.

6.    Follow your provider’s process to complete and submit the grant request. The DAF will send a check or electronic payment directly to SUM.

7.    Notify the Church Finance team: financesec@sumct.org, finance@sumct.org, or financedonor@sumct.org so that we can ensure we receive it and annotate it to your name.

Making a Stock Donation

Donating appreciated stocks or securities directly to our church can be a highly tax-efficient way to give. You may be able to avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation and receive a charitable deduction for the full market value.

Steps to Give Stocks

1.    Contact the SUM finance team and let them know that you intend to donate stock.

2.    Request our church’s brokerage account information. This information is required to transfer your stocks.

3.    Instruct your broker to transfer the specified number of shares to the church’s brokerage account. You may need to complete a stock transfer form.

4.    Notify our finance team (see above) so we know about your intended transfer, and we can recognize your gift and provide an acknowledgment letter for your records.

5.    Keep copies of all correspondence and confirmations for tax purposes.

Important Notes

·       Consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to determine the best giving method for your circumstances.

·       If you need our church’s EIN or brokerage details, please contact our finance team or office directly. This helps ensure your gift is processed accurately and promptly.

·       All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

If you have questions or need assistance, please reach out to our church’s finance team, Jen Acheson, Sammy Samuel, or Alan Lahue. Alternatively, call the church office, and Deb will direct you to the correct person.

We are grateful for your generosity and support for SUM!

Jen Acheson, Finance Chair