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Charitable Donation of Securities Form

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Charitable Donation of Securities in Kind

Client Transfer Services, 77 Bloor Street West, 6th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 1T2

Please complete this form for use as Authorization to facilitate a timely transfer. Transfer requests that do not contain the information requested herein may result in delayed deliveries. Please ensure a copy of any necessary supporting documentation is attached to your transfer request such as a Corporate Resolution with sample signatures for a corporate account, Powers of Attorney where the signing authority for an account differs from the client of record, etc.


Please transfer the following position:

Delivering Institution Information

Receiving Institution Information

For Internal Use Only

Additional Information:

Please include any additional Contact Information (if applicable).

Contributing Client Authorization:

RUSH - For Internal Use Only

Please fax a completed copy of this form to the Client Transfer Services department. The fax number can be found within the Charitable Donation procedures section of the Client Transfer Resource Centre.

Securities Transfer Client Disclosure

Types of Investment Products

How long will my transfer take?

The time required to transfer your security(ies) will for the most part depend on the type of investment products you currently hold. Please note that all your assets may not all be transferred at exactly the same time.

In our business we are dedicated to continually improving Client Service. This Client Disclosure and informational document was developed to help you understand the account transfer process. It is important to read this document carefully before signing the section called CONTRIBUTING CLIENT AUTHORIZATION on this transfer form. Should you have any questions after reading this document, please be sure to address your inquiries with your Receiving Institution's Investment Representative.

Rejected Transfers:

A transfer request may be rejected by the Delivering Institution for a number of reasons, such as, insufficient funds to cover fees, account not in good standing, i.e. undermargin, short position(s), etc. If for any reason your transfer has been rejected by the Delivering Institution, they may return the transfer request to the Receiving Institution unprocessed. When the reason for the rejection has been rectified, the transfer process may begin again and the Delivering Institution may then have approximately 10 business days, from the date of receipt of the transfer documents to process the transfer.

Transfer Fees:

Most institutions charge a transfer out fee at which the cost varies. It is important to ensure that you have sufficient funds available in your account at the delivering institution to cover your transfer and administration fees, as the delivering institution may reject the transfer unprocessed, thus creating a lengthy delay.

How much will it cost to transfer my security(ies)?

Non-registered Accounts:

Under current IDA regulations, this type of transfer may take approximately 10 business days from the time of receipt by the Delivering Institution, if it is being delivered via the Automated Transfer Online Notification System (ATON). If the transfer is not being delivered via ATON, the length of time to complete the transfer could exceed 10 business days.

Mutual Funds:

Currently, mutual fund products take longer to fully transfer, and may result in a possible delay into the charitable organization's account, due to the requirement of re-registering the mutual fund at the Fund Company. On average mutual funds require 5 - 10 business days to transfer from the time the mutual fund power of attorney is received by the Receiving Institution.

Guaranteed Investment Certificates & Term Deposits:

Generally, a Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) is not transferable IN-KIND (as is) prior to the maturity date. Most GIC's must be transferred IN-CASH upon their maturity. Please check the terms and conditions with the Institution which currently holds your investment. If your GIC matures in more than 6 months' time, please submit your transfer request one month prior to maturity.

Other Investment Products:

There are many other investment products which may be non-transferable, non-redeemable or subject to other delays. Some of these products include Mortgages, Foreign Securities, and Non-transferable Bonds (minimum denomination requirements).

TD Waterhouse Canada Inc.

Client Documentation Department

3500 Steeles Avenue East

Tower 2, 2nd Floor

Markham, ON L3R 0X1

The Canada Trust Company

Private Trust

Client Documentation Department

3500 Steeles Avenue East

Tower 2, 2nd Floor

Markham, ON L3R 0X1

Enter text✕

What the Charitable Donation of Securities Form Is

The Charitable Donation of Securities Form documents a donor's transfer of publicly traded or privately held securities to a qualified charity. It records the donor's identifying information, description and quantity of the security, transfer method (brokerage transfer, physical certificate, or DTC delivery), intended valuation date, and the recipient nonprofit. Organizations use the form to establish gift intent, trigger acceptance checks, and create a donor acknowledgment letter for tax substantiation under IRS rules. Proper completion preserves tax benefits and speeds settlement with transfer agents or brokers.

Why a Formal Securities Donation Form Matters

A dedicated form standardizes donor instructions, documents transfer mechanics for brokers and transfer agents, and supports the charity’s valuation and acknowledgment processes. It reduces settlement errors, clarifies gift restrictions, and helps both donor and recipient meet IRS substantiation requirements for charitable contributions.

Why a Formal Securities Donation Form Matters

Who Completes and Who Receives This Form

Accurate completion reduces broker follow-up, prevents misdirected transfers, and shortens the time to receipt and acknowledgment.

  • Individual donors and donor-advisors filling out transfer instructions for brokerage or DTC delivery.
  • Charity gift processing staff verifying transfer details and issuing acknowledgments for tax records.
  • Brokerage or custodial representatives and transfer agents executing the actual securities movement.

Step-by-Step: Completing and Submitting the Form

Follow these steps to prepare a clean transfer that brokers and the charity can process without interruptions.

  • 01
    1. Identify Gift: Confirm share class, CUSIP/ticker, and number of shares prior to filling the form.
  • 02
    2. Choose Transfer Route: Select DTC brokerage transfer for speed or certificate delivery if required by donor or charity.
  • 03
    3. Provide Broker Details: List delivering broker, account number, and DTC instructions where applicable.
  • 04
    4. Sign and Send: Sign in ink or e-sign where allowed, then send to the charity and copy the broker to initiate delivery.

How to Configure an Electronic Donation Workflow

Set up digital routing to capture donor intent, automate acknowledgments, and trigger broker notifications.

Field Configuration
Donor Signature Require signature field with signer email and date; enable audit trail
Broker Attachment Allow file upload for broker instruction PDF or broker letter
Gift Routing Automated routing to gift processing and finance upon completion
Acknowledgment Auto-generate and email IRS-compliant charitable contribution receipt

Typical Transfer Flow from Donor to Charity

A clear flow helps donors know when the gift is complete and when tax acknowledgment will be issued.

  • Donor Instructs Transfer: Donor completes form and signs to authorize transfer.
  • Broker Executes: Delivering broker sends shares via DTC or mails certificate per instructions.
  • Charity Receives: Recipient confirms deposit and records valuation date.
  • Acknowledgment Issued: Charity issues donor acknowledgment for IRS substantiation.

Digital Signing and System Requirements

Using a compliant eSignature provider with audit trails and secure file handling reduces verification steps and improves donor experience.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX supported for forms and broker letters
  • Authentication: Email link or SMS code; higher-value gifts may require multi-factor authentication
  • Integrations: CRM and accounting integration for donor records and tax reporting

Essential Components of a Complete Securities Donation Form

A professional form includes fields that capture identification, transfer mechanics, legal authorizations, and post-transfer administration details.

Donor Identification

Full legal name, address, taxpayer identification if required, and contact information to link the gift to the correct donor record for tax acknowledgment.

Security Details

Ticker or CUSIP, number of shares, certificate numbers for private stock, and class of security so transfer agents and brokers can route correctly.

Transfer Instructions

Clear method (DTC vs. certificate), delivering broker name and account, receiving broker DTC details, and any special settlement instructions.

Valuation and Date

Field for the valuation date in MM/DD/YYYY and guidance on market valuation rules for publicly traded securities relevant to donor tax reporting.

Restrictions or Designations

Optional field to record donor restrictions, purpose or fund designation; charities must review restrictions before acceptance.

Authorization Signature

Donor signature block with date and capacity (individual, trustee, POA) plus space for charity acceptance signature and processing notes.

Security and Compliance Checklist

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3
Data at Rest: AES-256
Audit Trail: IP, timestamp, actions
HIPAA BAA: Available if needed
ESIGN / UETA: Meets legal tests
Access Controls: Role-based permissions

Timing Considerations and Typical Processing Durations

Timeliness affects valuation, tax receipts, and settlement. Note that market-date valuation rules and broker settlement cycles vary.

Brokerage Settlement:

DTC transfers commonly settle in 1–3 business days depending on broker processing.

Acknowledgment Timing:

Charities typically issue IRS-compliant acknowledgment within 7–14 business days after receipt.

Valuation Date:

Use the date the charity takes control; for traded securities, market date determines deductibility rules.

IRS Reporting:

Donors should retain acknowledgments for tax filings; charities must provide receipts per IRS rules.

Broker Holds:

Some brokers impose transfer holds of several days; notify donor to expect potential delay.

Common Pitfalls That Delay Security Transfers

  • Incomplete donor name or mismatched broker account details cause transferring brokers to reject the instruction and delay settlement.
  • Failure to include broker DTC or receiving account information requires manual broker-to-broker coordination, adding days to settlement.
  • Not specifying valuation date or using an incorrect market date can complicate tax substantiation and donor deduction claims.
  • Designations or restrictions added without charity acceptance create administrative holds while legal review or fund setup occurs.

Legal and Tax Risks of Incorrect or Missing Information

Deduction Disallowance: Donor may lose tax deduction if IRS determines gift unsubstantiated or valuation is incorrect.
Broker Rejection: Transfer agents or brokers may refuse delivery for incomplete or inconsistent instructions.
Gift Reversal: Incorrect acceptance steps can lead to reversal, requiring reputational and administrative remediation.
Ineffective Authority: Signatures by unauthorized signers or without POA proof may be invalid and block transfer.
Valuation Errors: Improper valuation may trigger IRS inquiry; large discrepancies can prompt audits.
Privacy Risk: Sensitive donor data handled insecurely can violate privacy obligations or donor trust.

Real-World Examples of Streamlined Donation Workflows

Organizations use digital forms and secure signing to reduce friction and speed acknowledgments after securities transfers.

Optica Ventures — Operational Simplicity

Optica Ventures standardized electronic document flows for donor authorizations to reduce back-and-forth with brokers.

  • The interface was adopted quickly by staff.
  • Standardized workflows cut processing steps and made it easier to issue timely acknowledgment letters and reconcile with broker confirmations.

Xerox — Integration with Systems

Xerox integrated eSignature workflows into their NetSuite processes to route gift documentation for approval and accounting.

  • Integration reduced manual entry.
  • The automated routing improved internal control and shortened the time between transfer receipt and donor acknowledgment.

eSignature Vendor Comparison for Processing Donation Forms

Comparing vendor pricing and basic features can inform platform selection for high-volume charitable gift processing; signNow appears first in the table as the initial column.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

FAQs and Troubleshooting for Securities Donation Forms

Answers to common questions about valuation, broker instructions, tax receipts, and electronic signatures when donating securities.


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