Smart Giving Ideas That Can Change Lives (and Offer Tax Benefits)
- Samaritan Community Center
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
When people think about supporting Samaritan Community Center, they often think of writing a check or making an online gift. But some of the most impactful gifts can come in less traditional ways — and may offer meaningful tax advantages in the process.
Here are two creative ways donors can support neighbors in need while making wise financial decisions.
Donate Appreciated Stock
If you own stock that has grown in value over time, donating those shares directly to charity can be a powerful option.
Instead of selling the stock, paying taxes on the gains, and then donating the cash, you may be able to transfer the stock directly to Samaritan Community Center.
Here’s how it works:
You donate stock that has appreciated since you purchased it.
The shares are transferred directly into Samaritan’s investment account.
Because the stock is not sold by you, you may avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciated value.
You may also be able to take an itemized charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift (consult your tax advisor).
Samaritan can then sell the stock and use those funds to support programs serving the hurting and hungry in Northwest Arkansas.
For some donors, especially higher-income earners, this can be a strategic way to maximize generosity while reducing taxes.
A gift of appreciated stock can help provide meals, groceries, counseling, dental care, and hope to neighbors facing difficult circumstances.
Donate a Vehicle Instead of Trading It In
Thinking about purchasing a new car? Before trading in your current vehicle, consider whether donating it could create greater value.
A donated vehicle can do more than provide a tax deduction — it can help remove one of the biggest barriers many families face: reliable transportation.
Here’s how Samaritan’s vehicle donation process works:
1. Donate a roadworthy vehicle
Samaritan accepts vehicles with a clean title that are safe and dependable for a family to drive.
2. Potentially receive a tax deduction
Depending on your situation, current tax rules may allow you to claim an itemized deduction based on the vehicle’s fair market value, which may be greater than a trade-in offer. (Consult your tax advisor.)
3. Help change a family’s future
Families applying to receive a donated vehicle go through a vetting process and must meet criteria including having a valid driver’s license and the ability to insure and maintain the vehicle.
For a family struggling to get to work, school, medical appointments, or childcare, dependable transportation can be life-changing.
A donated car can become more than a vehicle. It can become stability.
Generosity Can Take Many Forms
Whether through appreciated stock, a vehicle donation, or another non-cash gift, generosity can be both practical and transformative.
These kinds of gifts help strengthen Samaritan’s mission of serving the hurting and hungry with dignity and compassion — while allowing donors to steward their resources wisely.
If you’d like to learn more about making a gift of stock or donating a vehicle, contact Kenneth Green, Director of Finance, at 479-636-4198 or kgreen@samcc.org.
Your generosity may be able to go farther than you think.