Thank you for your interest in supporting AutismUp and our mission to empower individuals with autism and their families. Your generosity helps us create inclusive opportunities, expand critical resources, and provide the support our community needs to thrive.

Did you know that donating appreciated stock can be one of the most tax-efficient ways to give? When you donate stock directly to AutismUp, you can benefit from tax advantages that enhance the impact of your gift. Here are some of the key benefits:

Financial Savings of Donating Stock

• Avoid Capital Gains Tax: When you transfer appreciated stock directly to AutismUp, you avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value. This means you can donate the full value of the asset, making a greater impact with your gift. For example, if you purchased stock for $5,000 that is now worth $10,000, a direct donation allows you to avoid paying capital gains tax on the $5,000 of appreciation. This can result in federal capital gains tax of up to 20% and state tax of an additional 10.9%. This is over 30% in tax savings.
• Charitable Deduction for Fair Market Value: You may be eligible to deduct the fair market value of the stock at the time of donation (up to 30% of your adjusted gross income), potentially reducing your taxable income for the year. This deduction can be a valuable way to lower your tax burden.
• Offset Other Capital Gains: If you’ve realized capital gains from other investments during the year, the charitable deduction from donating appreciated stock can be used to help offset those gains, further reducing your overall tax liability.
• Maximize Your Contribution: By donating appreciated stock instead of cash, you can leverage the value of your assets to increase the amount AutismUp receives, ultimately helping us do more for the families we serve.

How to Donate Stock to AutismUp

Contact Lisa Ponticello, Chief Marketing and Development Officer, 585-248-9011 x 108 or lponticello@autismup.org

Making a stock donation is easy, and we’re here to guide you through the process. Here’s how to get started:

• Contact Your Broker: Let your broker know that you’d like to donate stock to AutismUp. They can initiate the transfer process for you.
• Provide Our Account Information: Your broker will need AutismUp’s brokerage account information to complete the transfer. Please contact our CFO, Christina HIlton, at chilton@autismup.org for the account details.

• Inform AutismUp of Your Gift: Once your broker has initiated the transfer, please notify us so that we can confirm receipt of your donation and provide a formal acknowledgment for your records.

When you reach the age of 73, the IRS requires that you start taking RMDs from your IRA, even if you don’t need the funds. RMDs are counted as taxable income, which can increase your tax liability and potentially push you into a higher tax bracket. Donating directly to a nonprofit like AutismUp, however, offers significant tax benefits:

• Avoid Tax on RMDs: By donating your RMD directly to AutismUp as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), the amount you give is excluded from your taxable income. This can lower your tax burden significantly, especially if the RMD is large.
• Fulfill Your RMD Requirement: A QCD counts toward your annual RMD requirement. This means you can satisfy IRS requirements while simultaneously supporting AutismUp’s mission.
• Reduce Adjusted Gross Income (AGI): By reducing your AGI, you may also lower your Medicare premiums, avoid the 3.8% net investment income tax, and keep more deductions intact, which can make this option especially beneficial if you’re retired or on a fixed income. If you have any questions about donating stock or would like more information about other ways to support AutismUp, please reach out to us at [AutismUp’s Contact Information]. Your gift helps us offer more programs, resources, and a supportive community to those navigating autism. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.