07/21/2026
Investment Fund Donations:
A Tax-Smart Way to Help the Children
If you're 70½ or older, one of the most powerful ways to help the children of Tres Islas is a gift straight from your IRA. The gift goes directly from your account to the children, so it isn't counted as taxable income — and it can satisfy your required minimum withdrawal for the year.
It's easier than it sounds, and you can do it yourself online in about three steps. We've put simple, picture-by-picture instructions on our website — including guides for Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Vanguard.
Have a donor-advised fund instead? You can recommend a grant to us there too (search Tres Islas Orphanage Fund, EIN 84‑1408725).
Why Donate Investments Instead of Cash?
If you’ve owned appreciated investments for more than one year, donating them directly may allow you to:
Avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Receive a charitable tax deduction for the fair market value of the donated shares (subject to IRS rules).
Make a larger impact for the charity without increasing your out-of-pocket cost.
Most major brokerage firms—including Vanguard, Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley, Edward Jones, Merrill, and others—can process these transfers electronically using DTC instructions.
