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brokerage account for charity
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if the charity accepts stock, you can avoid the tax on the long term cap gain when you donate it. e.g. i donate $10,000 in value of apple. i write off $10,000 on my taxes, and benefit with a $2500 refund. if i sold it, i'd have nearly a $1500 tax bill (bought long enough ago, the basis is sub $100).  any trading along the way, and it's on you. gains long or short are taxed on you. it's only the final donation that matters here.  edit - to address anthony's comment on other answer - i sell my apple, with a near $10,000 gain (it's really just $9900) and i am taxed $1500. now i have $8500 cash i donate and get $2125 back in a tax refund. by donating the stock i am ahead nearly $375, and the charity, $1500.
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