An outright gift of appreciated marketable securities is one of the most attractive methods of realizing your charitable intentions toward the Yale Peabody Museum. Such a gift has the following benefits:

• A federal income tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the securities on the date of your gift, provided you have owned the securities for more than one year.
• Avoidance of capital gains tax on the transfer.
• The ability to maintain the composition of your investment portfolio by purchasing the same securities on the open market which will have a new cost basis.

Please note that, as a general rule, you should not give securities that have depreciated in value. It is more advantageous for you to sell such securities, take a loss on your income taxes, and donate the proceeds.