Donation of Shares
Donate Shares to Charity (including gifts from an estate)
Turn unwanted or hard-to-sell shareholdings into charitable impact. We help private shareholders, executors and firms donate shares / securities (UK & international; certificated or nominee) to registered charities—managing registrars, paperwork and confirmations end-to-end.
Why donate shares?
Tax-efficient
Gifts to UK-registered charities are generally exempt from IHT; giving 10%+ of the net estate may reduce the remaining IHT from 40% to 36%. Gifts of shares are usually CGT-free.
This is general information — please seek professional advice for your circumstances.
Practical
Ideal for small “odd-lot” holdings, legacy portfolios, and corporate tidy-ups. Donating or transferring shares avoids piecemeal sales and simplifies executor administration, even where holdings span registrars or jurisdictions.
Clear will instructions and up-to-date records keep the process quick, compliant, and low-cost.
Purposeful
Create a lasting legacy for causes you care about by turning dormant or complex assets into funding.
Combine a gift in your will with lifetime giving, beneficiary designations, or trusts. Review plans regularly so more value reaches charities — exactly as you intend.
Overseas shares (e.g., USA/Canada)
Medallion Signature Guarantee (MSG)
US transfer agents often require a Medallion Signature Guarantee for estate transfers or gifts to a charity—particularly for certificated holdings. Expect to provide executor/administrator authority (Letters Testamentary/Administration), a certified death certificate, and will/charity details where relevant.
Using ShareGift for small or unwanted holdings
ShareGift is a UK charity that accepts small/odd-lot shareholdings, consolidates and sells them, and distributes proceeds to UK charities — ideal when sale costs would outweigh value.
Address: ShareGift, 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London, EC2Y 5U
Website: www.sharegift.org
Phone: +44 (0)20 7930 3737
Email: help@sharegift.org
How the donation works
Confirm holdings
We verify register/broker positions and any restrictions.
Choose the recipient charity
Your preferred charity, or we can propose options.
Valuation & documents
Indicative value, stock transfer/CREST instructions, charity acceptance.
Completion
We liaise with registrars/transfer agents and oversee registration or sale per the charity’s policy.
Evidence
You receive completion confirmation; the charity receives shares or proceeds.
FAQ
What are the fees and how long does it take?
Transparent fees: Fixed fee per holding, or a bundled package for multiple lines.
Third-party costs: Registrar, broker, or courier fees may apply and are passed through at cost.
Typical timeframe: 2–6 weeks, depending on the registrar, share type, and jurisdiction.
Do I need to sell the shares before donating?
No. Many charities can accept shares in specie; others prefer an immediate sale with proceeds remitted to them. We coordinate either route.
Can I donate through my will?
Yes—specify the asset (e.g., company and quantity) and clearly name the charity. Tell your executors and keep documents with your will.
What if share certificates are missing?
We can help with replacement certificates or alternative registrar processes before the donation proceeds.
Will I need a Medallion Signature Guarantee?
Often required for US holdings, especially for estate transfers. We’ll confirm the agent’s rules and can arrange an MSG where needed (see our cost-controlled option above).