How to contribute | Vanguard Charitable
Looking for instructions to share with your advisor or holding firm holding? See our instructions for commonly contributed assets here. 

 

 

Step One: Notify Vanguard Charitable of the incoming gift. 

 

Most gifts require a completed Make a Contribution form, which helps us: 

 

  • Match your assets
  • Ensure proper tax documentation
  • Follow your allocation instructions

 

The form is available in your online account's Contributions section. You can use the paper form, but it requires asset owner signatures. 

Step Two: Initiate the transfer with your holding firm or bank. 

 

Most transfers must be initiated by the asset owner. If the holding firm can initiate the transfer, the process is simple:

 

  • Review asset-specific delivery instructions below
  • Be sure to specify your preferred cost basis
  • Send the instructions to your broker or holding firm

 

If your firm cannot initiate the transfer directly, additional documentation is required. See instructions below for more details. 

 

 

Gifts from Vanguard made simple

 

For assets held at Vanguard, you can contribute directly from vanguard.com. Link your accounts now for easy gifting anytime. Learn how below. 

 

Asset Type

Notify Vanguard Charitable

Initiate the Transfer

Assets held at Vanguard (electronic transfer)

Contributions from Vanguard can be made from the Vanguard Philanthropic Center after completing a one-time linking process. 

 

Gifts eligible for electronic transfer include settlement funds, mutual fund shares, or securities held in individual, joint, or trust accounts.   

 

Learn how to link your accounts.

To begin, log in to Vanguard Charitable and navigate to your My Profile page

 

Under Web Access & Information, check the Access Key section to confirm whether your account is linked and follow the instructions.

 

For questions about your Vanguard retail account, such as holdings, cost basis, or transaction history, contact Vanguard directly at 877-662-7447 or visit vanguard.com.

Assets held at Vanguard (not eligible for electronic transfer)
  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Assets held at Vanguard and specify that you’re not eligible for electronic authorization.
  4. Enter the mutual fund or security details, complete the required fields, and click Save toContinue and Next.
  5. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

Vanguard requires a signed Letter of Authorization for this type of gift.

 

Access the Letter of Authorization form here. 

 

For questions about your Vanguard retail account, such as holdings, cost basis, or transaction history, contact Vanguard directly at 877-662-7447 or visit vanguard.com.

Assets held outside of Vanguard 

Mutual Fund 

  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Asset held outside of Vanguard then Enter a mutual fund gift.
  4. Enter the mutual fund details, complete the required fields, and click Save to Continue and Next.
  5. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

If the holding firm can initiate the transfer, provide them with these instructions:

  • Receiving firm: Vanguard Brokerage Services
  • Vanguard Charitable brokerage account number: 76580331
  • DTC clearing number: 0062
  • Further credit to: [Your Vanguard Charitable account number and name] 

Note: ensure you have relayed your preferred cost basis when providing these instructions. 

 

If the holding firm cannot initiate the transfer, provide the following:

  1. Completed Letter of Authorization with original Medallion signature guarantee (also made available when submitting your Make a Contribution  form online.)
  2. Account statement from the holding account, dated within the last 90 days (copy accepted) 

 

All relevant documents should be mailed to Vanguard Charitable: Mailing Instructions. 

Assets held outside of Vanguard 

Security

  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Asset held outside of Vanguard then Enter a security gift.
  4. Enter the security details, complete the required fields, and click Save to Continue and Next.
  5. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

If the holding firm can initiate the transfer, provide them with these instructions:

  • Receiving firm: Vanguard Brokerage Services
  • Vanguard Charitable brokerage account number: 76580331
  • DTC clearing number: 0062
  • Further credit to: [Your Vanguard Charitable account number and name] 

Note: Specify your preferred cost basis when providing these instructions. 

 

If the holding firm cannot initiate the transfer, provide the following: 

  1. Completed Brokerage In-Kind form with original Medallion signature guarantee (also made available when submitting your Make a Contribution  form online.)
  2. Account statement from the holding account, dated within the last 90 days (copy accepted) 

 

All relevant documents should be mailed to Vanguard Charitable: Mailing Instructions. 

Check or Electronic Bank Transfer (EBT)
  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Check or Electronic bank transfer, enter the amount, and click Save to Continue and Next.
  4. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

Electronic Bank Transfer: 
Instruct your bank to send the electronic bank transfer transaction to Vanguard Charitable. 

 

Check: 
Please make your check out to Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program.  

 

All relevant documents should be mailed to Vanguard Charitable: Mailing Instructions. 

Wire or ACH
  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Wire then enter the amount, and click Save to Continue and Next.
  4. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

Provide your bank with these wiring instructions: 

Wire to: FRB ABA 011001234 - BNY, 225 Liberty St., New York, NY 10286 

For credit to: Account 0724947 - Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program 

Make payable to: Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program. 

 

Please add your Vanguard Charitable account number and name to the "memo," "notes," or "additional information" field if available.

Stock Certificate
  1. Go to the Contributions section of your online account, select Make a Contribution.
  2. Select the contributing account type. (If contributing from a new account, add the new owner of assets).
  3. Select Physical stock certificate.
  4. Complete required fields and click Save to Continue and Next.
  5. Set your investment allocation, review, and submit.

Submit a completed Letter of Authorization with a Medallion signature guarantee and properly endorsed certificate: 

  1. On the back of each certificate, write “Vanguard Brokerage Services” between “appoint” and “attorney.”
  2. Enter the current date and sign your name exactly as shown on the front of the certificate. All registered owners must sign before an authorizing officer. 

 

All relevant documents should be mailed to Vanguard Charitable: Mailing Instructions. 

Restricted stock & complex assets

We welcome complex assets, such as private equity, non-publicly traded stock, LLC or LP interest, hedge fund interest, insurance policies, real estate, art, and more. 

Each asset is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Want more information on donating complex assets? Take a look at 5 steps to contribute complex assets or contact us to discuss.

Keep in mind

To open an account, the minimum initial contribution is $25,000 and the minimum additional contribution is $5,000. Contributions initiated through vanguard.com, that are in good order and submitted before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, can be processed the same business day. All other contributions must be received, in good order, by 1:00 p.m. Eastern time, for same-day processing.

Minimum Contribution

$25,000

Additional Contributions

$5,000

Cut-off time for contributions initiated via vanguard.com (Eastern)

4:00 p.m.

Cut-off time for all other contributions (Eastern)

1:00 p.m.

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Maintenance fee may be applied

Accounts having a balance below $25,000 may be subject to an annual maintenance fee of $250.

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