Gifts of Stock

Active couple supports the Foundation with gift of stock

Jerry and Kate Campbell got involved with Group Health after moving to Seattle from Connecticut in 1999. Jerry is in his fifth year as a Group Health trustee, has served on the Foundation Board, and chairs the Foundation's investment committee.

They like the Foundation's emphasis on children's health and health promotion, "especially recent efforts with Native American communities east of the mountains," Jerry says. "The spending and granting is focused—it's not a shotgun approach to giving out money."

Kate is impressed with how the Foundation helps grantees measure their outcomes. "It's a good parallel to Group Health's evidence-based approach to medicine," she says. "They help grant recipients track and show the benefit that they are having in communities."

"Many people don't know that Group Health employees give quite a bit to the Foundation, or that donations are used to improve the quality of care for Group Health members," adds Jerry. "It's different from other hospital foundations in its direct patient and community benefit."

The Campbells recently donated shares of stock to the Foundation. This method of giving creates a double tax advantage for the donor. Jerry explains, "The Foundation sells the shares after they are transferred, so the giver doesn't have to pay capital gains tax on the sale. Then the donor can deduct the value of the shares, further reducing their taxable income."

Not all charitable organizations are set up to take securities. Jerry wants donors to know that the Foundation can.

Now retired, Kate worked previously in the non-profit sector and spent many years managing a community mental health agency in Hartford. Jerry worked in the insurance industry, and later as an investment professional.

Staying active is important to the Campbells. Last year Jerry rode in his first Group Health Seattle-to-Portland bicycle ride. Kate just completed a study at Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center assessing the role of aerobic exercise on breast cancer. "I'm in the best shape of my life," she says.