Giving stocks and bonds that have increased in value (and that you have owned for more than one year) provides even greater tax benefits than giving cash.

Not only is the market value of the securities deductible (subject to applicable limitations), but you also avoid paying the capital gains tax on the appreciation.

The value of a securities gift is the median of the high and low market price of the stock or bond on the date of your gift. You are entitled to deduct the gift value of securities for up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. (The maximum allowable deduction for all charitable contributions in any given year is limited to 50 percent of an individual's adjusted gross income.) Any excess can be carried over for an additional five years.

If your stock is held in custody with a brokerage firm or bank trust department, you can make a direct transfer of the securities from the custodian firm or bank to Southwestern's account at Regions Bank/Trust Group.

Securities Transfer Instructions are provided to assist you in this process.