Give the Gift of Art Through Stocks or Bonds
Donating appreciated securities such as stocks, mutual funds, or bonds is a smart and generous way to support Plains Art Museum.
When you give securities that have increased in value and you’ve held for more than one year, you may be able to avoid capital gains taxes and receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift.
Benefits of Donating Securities
- Avoid capital gains tax on appreciated assets
- Receive a charitable income tax deduction for the full market value of the asset
- Support the arts with a tax-wise gift
- Preserve cash flow while making a significant impact
Types of Securities You Can Give
- Publicly traded stocks
- Mutual fund shares
- Bonds
- ETFs (exchange-traded funds)
- Closely held stock (in some cases)
How It Works
- Contact your financial advisor to choose the asset(s) you’d like to donate.
- Choose if you’d like your gift to go toward the general Endowment, the ND Tax Credit Endowment, or the Reserve account. There are distinct custodial account numbers for these accounts, which you will need to know for a successful stock transfer.
- Endowment gifts, including the ND Tax Credit Endowment, have restrictions for spending, with the end goal of providing a steady source of revenue for Plains Art Museum well into the future. Endowment gifts make your Museum more resilient long-term. Proceeds from the Museum endowment fund are disbursed following a total return approach; the annual endowment fund distribution is reviewed and approved by the Museum Board of Directors as part of the annual budget process and does not exceed 5% of the average asset balance.
- If you pay income tax in ND, your endowment gift may qualify for the ND Tax Credit. This option can allow you to give more than you otherwise would be able to—for example, a $25,000 gift to the Museum could end up costing only $10,200 after tax savings!
- Donations to the reserve account are part of the Museum’s long-term growth. The purpose of the investment reserve account is to invest funds that are not expected to be needed for operations within the next 12-months. The investment time horizon will be considered long-term; however, Management may revise the horizon to allow for upcoming capital needs or expected expenses.
Decide the best way to make your contribution:
- By electronic transfer – Please contact Megan Even, at 701.551.6122 or meven@plainsart.org for instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to your Museum.
- By certified mail – to donate physical stock certificates, you must send the unsigned certificate in one certified mail envelope and a signed stock power form in a second certified mail envelope on the same day. The stock power form is a document that transfers ownership, and you can get it from your broker or bank. Be sure to include a dated letter of intent with your stock power form that identifies the stock and states your intention to make a charitable gift to the nonprofit.
- ⚠️ Note: Do not sell the securities yourself. To receive the full tax benefit, the transfer must be made directly to Plains Art Museum. Please work with your advisor.
Let Your Legacy Grow
Your gift of appreciated securities helps us deliver world-class performances, exhibitions, and arts education—ensuring that creativity continues to thrive for generations to come.