How to Give Securities
Transfers from a Bank or Broker
If the securities are held by your bank or broker, we recommend an electronic transfer via the Depository Trust Company (DTC) system. For instructions to give your bank or broker, contact the Treasury Services Office through Avi Mimun at am2723@columbia.edu or (212) 854-9692.
When you call, please be prepared to give the following information:
- your name and address
- the name and ticker symbol of the security
- the number of shares
- the school or department gift fund to be credited
Transmittal of Certificates
If you hold the securities in certificate form, send by registered mail or hand deliver your unendorsed certificates with a letter of transmittal describing the purpose of your gift to this address:
Columbia University
Office of the Treasurer
Treasury Services
1700 Broadway, 10th Floor
Mail Code 7711
New York, NY 10019
In a separate envelope, mail or deliver a stock or bond power for each security, along with a copy of the transmittal letter sent with the certificate. You can obtain blank powers from the Office of Gift Planning, your bank, or your broker. On the stock power, only fill in the description of the security and sign your name exactly as it appears on the face of the certificate. Do not fill in Columbia University's name as transferee or attorney to transfer on either the certificate(s) or stock power(s).
Splitting Certificates
Columbia can arrange for a stock certificate or bond to be split in the event that you wish to give fewer shares or bonds than the certificate represents.
If you are holding the stock certificate or bond, simply send it to the University by registered mail or hand deliver your unendorsed certificates with instructions that include your Social Security number and the number of shares (or the dollar amount of the bonds) you wish to donate to the following address:
Columbia University
Office of the Treasurer
Treasury Services
1700 Broadway, 10th Floor
Mail Code 7711
New York, NY 10019
In a separate envelope, mail or deliver a stock or bond power for each security, along with a copy of the instructions sent with the certificate. Your signature on the stock or bond power must bear a medallion signature guarantee, which can be obtained from your bank or broker. You can obtain blank powers from the Office of Gift Planning, your bank, or your broker. On the stock power, only fill in the description of the security and sign your name exactly as it appears on the face of the certificate. Do not fill in Columbia University's name as transferee or attorney to transfer on either the certificate(s) or stock power(s).
Columbia will arrange for a new bond or certificate for the remaining shares to be issued and returned to you. Of course, if your securities are held by a broker, the broker can arrange for the certificate or bond to be split.
Determining Effective Date and Valuation
When the Certificate Is Transferred Electronically
Effective date and valuation is calculated using the average of the high and low prices on the date of gift, which is the day the security is received into our brokerage account. If you are considering an electronic transfer through your bank or broker, we recommend the Depository Trust Company (DTC) system.
When the Certificate Is Sent by U.S. Mail
Effective date and valuation is calculated using the average of the high and low prices on the date of gift, which is indicated by the postmark. If the certificate and the stock power are sent on different dates, the later date will be used.
When the Certificate Is Hand Delivered
Effective date and valuation is calculated using the average of the high and low prices on the date of gift, which is the date the University takes physical possession of either the certificate or the stock power, whichever is later. Please note that the IRS does not accept your receipt from private carriers such as Federal Express as evidence of mailing. Thus, if you need to substantiate a year-end gift, we suggest you use the U.S. Postal Service.
Dan Baker CC’76
Executive Director of Donor Relations
dpb21@columbia.edu
475 Riverside Drive
New York, NY 10115
(212) 870-2406

