Movement Spotlight: Mark Gosney
There are lots of exciting ways to give to our life-changing work in Sudan this holiday season. One of the least known is donating from your investment portfolio! This type of giving isn't for everyone, but it does come with some cool perks if you play your cards right. If you are invested, this method of giving is definitely worth checking out.
We only have a few donors who give this way every year, so they are really special to us. One of them is long-time supporter Mark Gosney. He is the Director of Operations and Programming for Advance Memphis, a faith-based, non-profit that provides workforce development to South Memphis. He says:
I became involved as I got to know Mark Hackett's passion for addressing the genocide in Sudan through a bible-study we were in....a long time ago.
The first thing that comes to mind is Operation Broken Silence's focus and dedication to the people of Sudan. Also, it is a smaller organization that has taken on a big challenge. And I really appreciate the goal to let people like me engage the work personally. This is especially hard since the work is thousands of miles away and such a large task.
We give by stock because it fits our stewardship style at this point in our lives. Also, I think we are able to give more because it does not come directly from current income.
Photo: Mark Gosney (center left) and family at our brand partner The Arcade Restaurant's 100 year anniversary celebration in Memphis.
The US stock market has been on a historic run since the Great Recession. This means that there are a plenty of stocks which have experienced major gains. While that's great news for investors, it can also mean that when high earners sell those stocks, taxes on the gains will be owed. Gifting stock and other investments to Operation Broken Silence can be a win-win because the stockholder gets to claim more of the money as a tax deduction, and we get to use more of the gift to support our programs in Sudan.
Mark has been giving from his investment portfolio since 2016. We asked him if he has any words of encouragement for others who are considering giving like he does. Mark says:
The economy is providing good returns for now. This is a good way not only to "protect" our tax situation, but to share with others. It might be easy for us to be greedy with what we have squirreled away. For me, it is a way to let God teach me that the portfolio really is all His, too.
The Sudanese people are bringing an end to the violent governance that has plagued their country for decades. One of the many ways Operation Broken Silence is helping them do that is by funding the Endure Primary and Renewal High Schools in Yida Refugee Camp, where thousands of Sudanese children don't have access to a quality education.
A unique way to support the 24 Sudanese teachers and nearly 1,100 students at these two incredible schools is to give from your portfolio, just like Mark. We've made the process as straightforward as possible, and you can be confident that lives will keep changing for the better. Download our Stock Transfer Form and follow the simple instructions to give!
For stock held in brokerage accounts, your broker can assist you in making a gift of stock via a direct transfer to Operation Broken Silence. Giving a gift of publicly traded stock that has increased in value and that you have owned for more than one year may provide better tax benefits than giving cash. Your charitable income tax deduction is equal to the fair market value of the stock and you avoid paying the capital gains tax on any increase in the current value over the original cost of the stock. You may also save on brokerage fees because you are transferring ownership rather than selling the stock.
Have questions before giving an investment? Reach out to us at info@operationbrokensilence.org
