Stock, DAF, & IRA Giving

Support BCBS Through Stock Gifts, Donor-Advised Funds, and IRA Charitable Distributions

At the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, our mission to share the transformative teachings of the Dharma is made possible by the generosity of people like you. There are several ways to support BCBS that provide tax advantages for donors, including gifts of stocks, donor-advised funds (DAFs), and qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs). 

By exploring these giving options, you can make a meaningful impact on BCBS while maximizing your financial benefits.

Why Give Through Stocks, DAFs, or IRAs?

Making a gift of appreciated securities, recommending a donation through a donor-advised fund, or making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA are excellent ways to support BCBS’s work while potentially reducing your tax burden. These gifts are especially beneficial for donors who wish to:

These giving methods allow you to have a greater impact on BCBS’s mission while taking advantage of the tax benefits that come with supporting a nonprofit organization.

Giving Information

Gifts of Stock

Donating appreciated stocks or securities is one of the most tax-efficient ways to give. When you donate stocks that have increased in value, you avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation, and you may be eligible for a charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the donation.

Benefits of Stock Gifts:

  • No capital gains taxes: When you donate appreciated stock, you can avoid paying capital gains taxes on the increase in value.

  • Tax deduction: You may be eligible for a charitable deduction equal to the full fair market value of the stock.

  • Greater impact: Stock donations allow you to make a larger gift at a lower cost to you than if you were to donate cash.

To make a gift of stock to BCBS:

  • Consult with your tax advisor to understand your specific situation.

  • Complete our Stock Donation Form.

  • Forward the stock donation form to your broker.

  • Please contact our Executive Director, Rick Henning, at richardh@buddhistinquir (978) 355-2347 ext. 21 to let us know your stock transfer has been initiated.

A donor-advised fund (DAF) is a charitable investment account that allows you to make a tax-deductible donation, invest those funds for growth, and recommend grants to charitable organizations over time. DAFs offer flexibility and tax efficiency, allowing you to make strategic charitable contributions when it’s most advantageous for you.

Why Give Through a DAF?:

  • Immediate tax benefits: Contributions to a DAF are tax-deductible in the year they are made, even if grants to BCBS are distributed later.

  • Flexible giving: You can recommend grants to BCBS over time, providing consistent support.

  • Investment growth: Funds can be invested for tax-free growth, potentially allowing you to give more in the future.


To recommend a grant to BCBS from your donor-advised fund, simply contact your DAF provider and direct the gift to the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. Be sure to notify us so we can thank you for your generous support!

If you are 70½ or older, you can make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) directly from your IRA to BCBS. A QCD allows you to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution (RMD) without having to pay income taxes on the amount transferred to the charity.

Benefits of IRA Charitable Distributions:

  • Tax-free giving: QCDs are excluded from your taxable income, offering a tax-efficient way to fulfill your RMD.

  • No additional income tax: Because the funds go directly to BCBS, they are not counted as income, which could lower your overall tax liability.

  • Satisfy RMDs: If you are required to take minimum distributions from your IRA, a QCD can help you meet this requirement while supporting BCBS.


To make a qualified charitable distribution, contact your IRA custodian and request a direct transfer of funds to BCBS. It’s a simple way to support the center while reducing your taxable income.

BCBS Beneficiary Information

Legal Name: Barre Center for Buddhist Studies, Inc.

Address: 149 Lockwood Rd., Barre, MA 01005

Tax ID: 22-3058493

Organization Type: 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational organization

Make a Lasting Impact

By supporting BCBS through gifts of stocks, DAF grants, or IRA charitable distributions, you help sustain our mission to provide a refuge for mindfulness, wisdom, and compassionate study. These methods of giving allow you to make a meaningful contribution while optimizing the financial benefits available to you as a donor.

We encourage you to explore these giving options with your financial advisor to determine the best way to support BCBS. Your generosity will help ensure that our programs and teachings continue to flourish for future generations.

Ready to give?

Contact us for more information on how to make a gift through stocks, DAFs, or IRA distributions, or speak with your financial advisor to begin the process today. Together, we can make a profound and lasting difference.