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Donate Securities

Give your investments a greater purpose

Donating stocks, mutual funds or ETFs is one of the most tax-efficient ways to support Canadian brain research. Transfer them directly to Brain Canada and the capital gains tax disappears, so more of your gift goes to helping the nearly 2 in 3 Canadians affected by a brain disease, disorder or condition.

Download the transfer form

Why make a gift of securities?

If you sell an appreciated investment and then donate the cash, part of your gain goes to tax first. Give the investment itself, and the full value reaches researchers studying conditions from Alzheimer's and ALS to depression and brain cancer.

  • A receipt for full value

    You receive an official tax receipt for the fair market value of the securities, which you can claim this year or carry forward up to five years.

  • More for brain research

    Because nothing is lost to tax along the way, your generosity goes further toward bold, early-stage discovery across Canada.

  • No tax on your gains

    Eligible securities donated in kind carry a zero capital gains inclusion rate, so the growth you've earned isn't taxed.

Four steps from portfolio to research lab

01 Choose what to give

Choose investments with the largest gains. Those give you the biggest tax advantage.

02 Complete the form

Fill in the transfer form below and give it to your broker or financial institution.

03 Let us know it's coming

Email a signed copy to Brain Canada so we can promptly identify your transfer and ensure your gift is processed accurately.

04 Receive your receipt

Once the transfer lands, we issue a tax receipt for the securities' fair market value on the day they arrive.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Please consult your income tax financial and/or legal advisor before arranging a planned gift.

Ready to give?

The fillable PDF includes everything your broker needs to move the securities in kind to Brain Canada's account. Complete it on screen or print it, sign it, and send copies to your broker and to us.

Download the form (PDF) Have questions? Email Monica Berger

Frequently asked questions

  • What is a gift of securities?

    It's a donation of investments, such as stocks, mutual funds or ETFs, transferred directly from your account to Brain Canada instead of being sold first. Because the investment itself changes hands, you avoid the capital gains tax you'd normally owe on its growth.

  • How is the value of my tax receipt determined?

    Your receipt reflects the fair market value of the securities on the day they arrive in Brain Canada’s brokerage account. For publicly traded securities, this is normally the closing bid price that day. If the closing bid doesn’t reasonably reflect the security’s value, we may use the midpoint between the day’s high and low trading prices instead.

  • Do I need a financial advisor to donate?

    No. If you manage your own investments through a self-directed or online brokerage account, you can request the transfer yourself using the details on our form. An advisor can help you choose which holdings make the most sense to give.

  • Why should I tell Brain Canada about my transfer?

    Brokerage transfers often arrive without the donor's name attached. Emailing us a signed copy of the form lets us match the shares to you, thank you properly and issue your receipt without delay.

  • Can I include securities in my will?

    Yes. A gift of publicly traded securities made by your estate can also qualify for the zero capital gains treatment, which can significantly reduce the tax owed by your estate. Talk with Monica about including Brain Canada in your legacy plans.

We're here to help

Monica Berger

Director of Philanthropy, Brain Canada

Email: monica.berger@braincanada.ca

Phone: (514) 264 8746