At Ten Talents Foundation, we love educating our community about tax-wise and strategic ways to give. Many people want to be generous, but their wealth isn’t always in cash—it’s often tied up in assets like real estate, stocks, or business interests. What many don’t realize is that donating these assets before selling can significantly increase their giving potential while reducing unnecessary taxes.
For example, if a donor sells a rental property worth $500,000 to give the proceeds to charity, they could owe up to $100,000 in capital gains taxes, leaving only $400,000 to donate. However, by donating the property before selling through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), they could eliminate capital gains taxes and potentially give the full $500,000 to the causes they love and receive a tax receipt letter for the appraised value of the property.
Most people assume generosity means writing a check, but asset-based giving provides a way to give more while paying less in taxes. If you’re considering selling real estate, stock, or other non-cash assets, continue reading to learn what it would look like to donate these assets and leave a lasting legacy.
What Kind of Assets can I Donate?
Asset-based giving allows donors to contribute valuable assets directly to charity instead of selling them first and donating the remaining cash. Some of the most common non-cash assets that can be donated include:
- Real estate
- Stock & bonds
- Cryptocurrency
- Business interests
- Fine art
- Agricultural assets (crops, livestock, etc.)
By donating these assets before selling, you can avoid capital gains taxes, receive a charitable deduction, and increase the amount available for generosity.
How to Donate a Non-Cash Asset:
- Donate the asset (such as real estate, stocks, or business interests) into a Donor Advised Fund.
- A foundation like Ten Talents handles the sale of the asset tax-free.
- Receive a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the donation.
- More money goes to charity—not to taxes.
The Benefits of Asset-Based Giving
When you sell an appreciated asset—like a house or stock—you are typically required to pay a capital gains tax on the profit. This means a portion of your money goes to the IRS instead of the causes you care about.
A better option? Donate the asset before selling through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) to save in taxes and give more! With less money lost to taxes, you’re able to give more, create a bigger impact, and support multiple organizations with a single transaction.
In summary, asset-based giving allows you to:
- Increase Your Impact – Avoid taxes and donate the full value of your asset.
- Reduce Your Tax Burden – Receive a charitable deduction and eliminate capital gains taxes.
- Give Strategically – Use a Donor Advised Fund to support multiple charities over time.
- Create a Lasting Legacy – Steward your resources wisely and inspire future generations to give.
By giving non-cash assets, you can make a greater impact while also benefiting from tax savings and streamlined charitable giving.
Want to Learn More?
At Ten Talents Foundation, we specialize in helping people give more while paying less in taxes. If you’re considering donating real estate, stocks, business interests, or other non-cash assets, we’re here to guide you through the process.
To see how asset-based giving works in action, click on the video and learn how you can maximize your impact while minimizing taxes, or contact us here to get started.
