Many alumni and friends find that appreciated stock provides an excellent vehicle for making their charitable gifts to Muskingum.

Making a gift of stock can be nearly as advantageous to the donor as to the College, especially in the case of securities that have been held for a year or more and that have increased in value. In such instances, the appreciated securities are deductible for their full fair market value at the time of the gift, and no tax on the capital gain is imposed on either the donor or Muskingum. For that reason, it is far more advisable to contribute the securities rather than to sell them and donate the proceeds. But if the current value of the securities is lower than the cost, then it is better to sell them yourself and donate the proceeds, taking advantage of the capital loss deduction.

There are two preferred procedures for transferring stock to Muskingum.

• If the stock you plan to give the College is held in your account with a brokerage firm, electronic transfer is the preferred method because your gift will be valued on the day it appears in Muskingum's account, which usually is the day you authorize the transfer. The toll-free number of the Zanesville office of Merrill Lynch is 1-800-937-7465; Muskingum's account number with Merrill Lynch is 69804037. The "DTC" transfer number is 5198. Please ask your broker to contact Gary Phipps at Merrill Lynch.
  
• If you hold the stock certificate(s) you plan to give Muskingum, the unsigned certificate(s) should be sent to the Office of Institutional Advancement at Muskingum by certified mail. You will also need to sign a Stock Power Form for each different security you plan to contribute. For example, if you plan to give us two certificates issued by Proctor & Gamble, you will need to sign only one stock power; if you plan to give us a certificate issued by P&G and another issued by AT&T, you will need to sign two stock powers. Only your signature is required on stock power forms; do not fill them in. You must have your signature guaranteed by a bank officer or investment broker using the Medallion signature guarantee stamp. Then send the signed stock power form(s), separate from the certificates, to: Office of Institutional Advancement, Muskingum College, New Concord, OH 43762.
• If you have questions, please call our toll-free number, 1-866-687-5431.