For Financial Planners

This page is intended to provide assistance to tax and financial advisors on behalf of clients interested in supporting the Epilepsy Foundation. For your convenience, we have provided sample wording for including the Epilepsy Foundation in a will or living trust. You will also find transfer instructions for making a gift to the Epilepsy Foundation in the form of stock or other securities. For additional information, contact the Office of Major Gifts at (301) 918-3749 or via email.

Sample Language for Wills & Trusts
Instructions for Transfer of Stock & Securities

Broker Information

There are different methods of completing a gift of stock. The method chosen by the donor will affect the date of transfer and, as a result, the valuation of the gift. Gifts of stock are recorded at full market value as of the date of gift completion. Full market value is the average of the high and low market value of the stock on the date the transfer is completed.

Stock Certificates

If a stock certificate is delivered with all necessary endorsements to the Epilepsy Foundation, the gift is complete for federal income tax purposes the day of delivery. If stock certificates are mailed, it is best to send the certificate unendorsed in one envelope and send a stock power, signed in blank, in a separate envelope. The gift is complete in either case when the envelope(s) have been deposited in the mail (the date postmarked).

Stock Held By Issuer

Stock may also be transferred on the books of the issuing corporation to the ownership of the Epilepsy Foundation. The issuing corporation must be contacted directly to facilitate this transfer method. The gift is not complete until the transfer takes place, which may be some time.

Stock Held in Street Name

If the stock is held in a brokerage account (or "street name"), special care needs to be taken in making the gift. In this instance, the gift is not complete until the stock is transferred to the Epilepsy Foundation's account. We will be happy to work with you (or your stockbroker) to complete this gift transaction. Please call (301) 918-3749 for instructions.

Bonds, Mutual Funds and Other Securities

Other types of securities and assets such as mutual funds, bonds, notes, or mortgages require special attention and the Department of Major Gifts at the Epilepsy Foundation should be notified in advance if you plan to give any of these gifts.

We appreciate your support and hope this is helpful in planning your gift of securities. If you need additional information, please call or write, in confidence, of course, and without any obligation. For more information contact the Office of Major Gifts at (301) 918-3749 or write:

Epilepsy Foundation
Office of Major Gifts
8301 Professional Place
Landover, MD 20785-7223