When it comes to supporting the causes you care about, many people focus on giving cash. However, stock donations to charity have become an increasingly popular way to contribute in a way that benefits both the donor and the organization. By transferring shares of appreciated stock instead of selling them for cash first, you can potentially increase your giving power while also enjoying certain tax advantages. Understanding how stock donations to charity work and how to calculate the stock donation value can help you make the most of this philanthropic opportunity. One of the most appealing aspects of donating stock is the potential tax efficiency. If you have held stock for more than a year and its value has appreciated, donating it directly allows you to avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increase. This means the charity receives the full value of the stock, and you can typically claim a charitable deduction for the fair market value at the time of the gift. Fo...