When you think about charitable giving, you may picture writing a check, making an online gift, or contributing cash to your Giving Fund, so you can recommend grants to charity over time. This approach is simple and straightforward. And for many generous givers and families, this is where the journey begins.
But cash is only one way to give.
If you own significant investments, much of what God has entrusted to you may not be sitting in a checking account. It’s probably tied up in company ownership, real estate, private equity, intellectual property, publicly traded stocks, or other appreciated assets. With asset giving, you can consider each of those resources as a potential part of your giving strategy, rather than just the cash you have on hand.
How it works
Asset giving just means giving assets directly to charity instead of selling them first and donating what remains.
You might hold ownership in a closely held business, commercial property, or have other investments that have grown substantially over time. Instead of liquidating those assets, paying taxes on the gain, and then giving from the remainder, you may be able to give the asset directly to NCF or one of its affiliated ministries.
After NCF markets and sells the asset, the proceeds from the sale are made available in your Giving Fund, so you can recommend grants to the causes you love to support. This approach allows your generosity to flow from the full scope of your resources, not just your liquidity.
Why would you give assets instead of cash?
First, assets can expand your capacity to give. If a substantial portion of your net worth is tied to your business or other appreciated assets, limiting your donations to available cash may not meet all the goals and dreams you have for giving. Asset giving allows you to align a broader portion of your portfolio with your charitable dreams and goals.
Second, there are potential tax efficiencies with many types of appreciated assets. Giving an appreciated asset to a qualified charitable organization like NCF, which later sells the asset, is often more tax-efficient than selling the asset and donating the after-tax proceeds.
But the primary motivation isn’t tax savings. It’s faithful, wise stewardship.
Why isn’t asset giving more common?
Often, it comes down to complexity. Giving an asset isn’t simple. There are legal, financial, and regulatory considerations. And most churches and charities aren’t equipped to evaluate or manage complex assets. Without experienced guidance, the process can feel uncertain.
Another reason is that many people just haven’t heard of this strategy. In fact, when NCF team members introduce the concept to givers, the most common response is: “I wish somebody had told me this earlier!”
How NCF walks with you
Over four decades, NCF has become a recognized leader in asset giving, coming alongside thousands of Christian families to help facilitate 3,200 complex gifts worth more than $6 billion.
Our in-house team of highly experienced charitable professionals comes alongside your financial, legal, and tax advisors to discuss the potential gift economics and consider options. We review what is required to legally transfer ownership and protect the gifted asset by ensuring we comply with federal and state charitable and other laws. Once the asset is monetized, you can recommend grants from the proceeds.
Asset gifts are complex, but you don’t have to navigate the process alone. You’re supported by a team that is uniquely qualified to understand both the technical details and the deeper purpose behind your generosity.
A bigger vision of stewardship
If you’ve built a business, invested carefully, or stewarded assets over many years, those resources represent more than financial value. They represent a significant portion of your life’s work and perhaps one of the greatest opportunities you have to make an impact for God’s kingdom.
Asset giving empowers you to use your significant holdings to support the work he has placed on your heart. And with prayer, discernment, and the right guidance, your giving may be able to go far beyond what you imagined was possible.
Learn how asset giving can be a key part of your giving strategy.
