Stocks, Securities & Planned Giving

Stocks & Securities

Donating stock is an easy and tax-smart way to fund The Freshwater Trust’s mission to support, preserve and conserve our freshwater ecosystems.

Make a gift to The Freshwater Trust by transferring appreciated stocks and securities instead of a traditional donation. By doing so, you may lower tax due on the capital gain and may receive an income tax deduction for the fair market value of the security.

For example, if you give stock with a fair market value of $1000 for which you paid only $100, the “cost” to you for making the gift is only $100. Plus, you may also be able to deduct the full $1000 from your income tax, thereby reducing your cost further.

To have your broker transfer shares to The Freshwater Trust electronically, most brokerage firms will require a letter of intent from you to request the transfer. In the letter, provide your broker with the following account information, or have them call our accounting team at (503) 222-9091 for more information.

Account Information

Brokerage Firm: UBS Financial Services Inc.
Contact: Schlendorf Investment Group
Phone: 503-603-1231
Fax: 855-380-6557
Email: aaron.daugherty@ubs.com
Account Name: The Freshwater Trust
DTC #221
Account # LL24808
Tax ID #93-0843521

We’re also happy to assist if you wish to donate physical stock certificates, contribute shares in a mutual fund or other appreciated security, or if you or your investment/financial advisor have any questions.

Once your gift has been initiated, please contact our team via email, or call our accounting department at (503) 222-9091.

Wire Transfer

Please contact our team via email to obtain our routing number and appropriate information to initiate your transfer, or call our accounting department at (503) 222-9091.

Bequest Under Your Will or Trust

One of the simplest ways to make a gift to The Freshwater Trust is through your will. For an unrestricted gift that allows The Freshwater Trust to determine how to use the funds based on the most pressing needs, use the following language for your will and/or trust: .

Sample language for your will or trust:

“To The Freshwater Trust, tax ID# 93-0843521, with its headquarters located in Portland, OR, I give, devise, and bequeath <a specific dollar amount, percentage, or remainder> to be used for its general purpose.”

If you have named The Freshwater Trust in your will or trust, please let us know so we can ensure that your gift is used according to your wishes. Notifying us of your plans will enable us to plan for the use of your future gift. However, if you prefer to remain anonymous, we will keep your name and gift in strict confidence.

BEQUEST POLICY:

It is the general policy of The Freshwater Trust that all gifts shall be presumed to be for all charitable purposes (i.e., unrestricted) unless there is an explicit restriction. This allows the organization to apply the funds to the most pressing needs at the time of funding.

Gifts of Real Estate

A home, farm or land may have appreciated value to the degree that its sale would mean a sizeable capital gains tax. By donating this property to the organization, you may receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the property. It may also be possible to give your home to The Freshwater Trust, while retaining the right to use it for your lifetime. Explore your options with an estate planning attorney.

Life Insurance Policies

A life insurance policy can be turned into a charitable gift. Whether you want to make The Freshwater Trust the beneficiary of your policy or simply transfer a policy you no longer need over to the organization, there are many options that can be advantageous to your goals and help you gain income tax reductions.

Retirement or Pension Plans

Retirement benefits paid to a tax-exempt charity are not subject to income tax. Therefore, in some cases, it may be advantageous to other beneficiaries of a donor’s estate if the charity is designated as a beneficiary of the plan benefit. Taxpayers over the age of 70 ½ may also make tax-free charitable gifts directly from their Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA) to eligible nonprofits like The Freshwater Trust.