Donating appreciated stock instead of cash can be a smart and efficient way to support the causes you care about. Not only does it allow you to give more to your favorite charities, but it can also save you a significant amount in taxes. Let's consider a simple example. Suppose you're a long-term investor in Apple Computer and you purchased shares at $50 a share years ago. Today, those shares are worth $150 each. If you had bought 100 shares, you would now have $15,000 worth of Apple stock, with a gain of $10,000 over your original investment. If you decide to sell that stock, you might face a tax bill of up to $3,000. This leaves you with less money to donate to charity. However, if you donate the stock directly to a charity, you avoid paying the capital gains tax, saving you $2,000. Additionally, you can deduct the full market value of the stock you donated from your income, potentially saving you up to $5,000 off your annual taxes. The challenge is that most charities aren't set up to accept stock donations directly. This is where a donor-advised fund (DAF) like Daffy comes in. When you contribute stock to Daffy, you get a full tax deduction for your charitable contribution, and then you can distribute funds to any of 1.5 million charities across the United States. With Daffy, you can maximize your generosity and lower your tax bill. It's a win-win situation for you and the organizations you support. Plus, Daffy waives all membership fees for members with less than $100 in their fund, so you can start giving today without any upfront costs. Please note that this information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. Always consult with a tax professional to assess your specific tax situation. Start simplifying your giving with Daffy, the Donor Advised Fund for You™. With Daffy, you can easily donate to almost every US public charity, track tax-deductible contributions, and access donation receipts all in one place. Try Daffy for free today.