Gifts of Stock and Other Assets

ActionAid gladly accepts gifts of stock and other assets. To learn more, please fill out (LINK TO FORM) this form or, for immediate assistance, please call Anna Gibson at 202-370-9924.

Details on ActionAid’s policies related to accepting gifts of stock are provided below:

Securities or Qualified Appreciated Stock

ActionAid can accept both publicly traded securities and closely held securities.

Publicly Traded Securities: Marketable securities may be transferred to an account maintained at one or more commercial banks or delivered physically with the transferor’s stock power attached. As a general rule, all marketable securities will be sold upon receipt. In some cases, applicable securities laws may restrict marketable securities. In such instances, the Executive Director and Executive Committee shall make final determination on acceptance of the restricted security. If not immediately marketable, a stock will be kept in the safe deposit box until it can be redeemed.

Closely Held Securities: Closely held securities may be accepted in limited circumstances and only with approval of the Executive Director and Executive Committee. Gifts of closely held securities must be reviewed prior to acceptance to determine:

  • Whether there are any restrictions on the security that would prevent ActionAid from ultimately converting these assets to cash.
  • Whether the security is marketable.
  • Whether the security will generate any tax consequences for ActionAid

To be accepted, closely held securities must have a qualified appraisal performed by an independent professional appraiser at the expense of the donor. If potential problems arise on initial review of the security, further review by an outside professional may be sought before making a final decision on acceptance of the gift. Following advice by legal counsel, the Executive Director and Executive Committee shall make the final determination on the acceptance of closely held securities. Closely held securities will be sold as quickly as possible.

Real Estate

Gifts of real estate may include developed or undeveloped property. Gifts of property subject to a prior life interest may not be accepted unless unanimously approved by the Executive Director and Executive Committee. The real estate being gifted must be titled to the donor(s). When appropriate, a title binder shall be obtained by ActionAid to acceptance of the real property gift. The cost of this title binder shall be paid by the donor.

Prior to acceptance of real estate, the donor is requested to advise ActionAid of any environmental issues associated with the property. ActionAid may require an initial environmental review to ensure that the property has no environmental damage. The Executive Director and Executive Committee may waive the environmental inspection requirement. In the event that the initial inspection reveals a potential problem, ActionAid shall retain a qualified inspection firm to conduct an environmental audit. The cost of the environmental audit shall generally be an expense of the donor, although ActionAid will consider covering such an expense at the advice of the Executive Director and Executive Committee.

Prior to acceptance of the real property, the gift shall be approved by the Executive Director and Executive Committee and ActionAid’s legal counsel. ActionAid will accept gifts of real estate only when the property can be sold. ActionAid may refuse any gift of real estate. Criteria for acceptance of the property shall include:

  • Are there any restrictions on sale of the property?
  • Is the property marketable?
  • Are there carrying costs, which may include insurance, property taxes, mortgages, or note, etc., associated with the property?
  • Does the environmental audit, if required, reflect that the property is not damaged?

Remainder interests in Property: ActionAid will accept remainder interests in property. In the event that AAI USA accepts a remainder interest in a personal residence, farm, or vacation property, all carrying costs shall be the responsibility of the donor. The donor or other occupants may continue to reside in or occupy the real property for the duration of the designated life. Thereafter, AAI USA may use the property or reduce it to cash. When ActionAid receives a gift of a remainder interest, expenses for maintenance, real estate taxes, and any property indebtedness are to be paid by the donor or primary beneficiary.

Tangible Personal Property

ActionAid will accept gifts of tangible personal property, including art, software, rare books, jewelry, and gems. It is the donor’s responsibility to provide the valuation of tangible personal property. AAI USA will immediately convert all gifts of tangible personal property to cash unless the gift may be employed to support AAI USA’s mission. For gifts valued in excess of $5,000, ActionAid will complete IRS Form 8282 within 125 days of the sale of the property, informing the IRS and the donor of the sale price. Gifts of tangible personal property with a fair market value of less than $5,000 may be reported by the donor at the donor-declared value.

The Executive Director and Executive Committee will make the final determination of the acceptance of gifts of tangible personal property according to the following criteria:

  • Does the property further the mission of ActionAid?
  • Is the property marketable?
  • Are there any undue restrictions on the use, display, or sale of the property?
  • Are there any carrying costs for the property?
  • Are there costs associated with transportation, storage, selling, maintenance, and repair of the property?

Royalties and Distribution Rights

ActionAid may accept gifts of royalties or distribution rights on published works (such as books or films) where there is clear evidence of marketability or assurance of an income stream. The Executive Director and Executive Committee will determine whether such a gift should be accepted after receiving a qualified appraisal at the expense of the donor.