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.
Emails [email protected] — 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 [email protected] 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 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.
Giving yourself time before year-end helps — stock transfers can take several business days to settle, especially in late December.
Instructions from major brokerages
Most brokerages publish their own step-by-step stock-donation instructions. Find your provider below, or ask your broker directly for a "charitable stock gift" or "DTC transfer" form.
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
Why donate stock instead of cash?
What information does my broker need?
How is a stock gift valued for tax purposes?
Do I need to sell the stock first?
Can I donate stock from a donor-advised fund instead?
Is this individual tax advice?
Questions about donating stock? Email [email protected].
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.