Donate Real Estate
Property with purpose
It can feed your neighbors for years to come.
Why donate instead of sell?
If you own property that’s appreciated in value, donating it can do more for you and your community than selling it on the open market.
You avoid capital gains tax
If you sell an appreciated property, you owe taxes on the gain. When you donate it directly, that tax disappears. The full value supports Second Harvest’s work.
You receive a charitable deduction
You may be able to deduct the full fair market value of the property — not your original purchase price, but what it’s worth today. That deduction can be spread over up to six tax years if needed.
You skip the hassle of selling
No listing, no showings, no negotiations, no broker fees. You transfer the property and we handle the rest.
Every property gift is different. We always recommend working with your attorney and financial advisor, and we’re happy to coordinate with your team.
What kinds of property qualify?
Most people picture a house, but gifts of property come in many forms, especially in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.
Homes
Primary residence, second home or rental property
Land
Farmland, vacant lots, undeveloped acreage, timberland
Common questions
Does the property need to be paid off?
Ideally, yes. Property with a mortgage or lien can sometimes be donated, but it adds complexity. We’ll talk through your specific situation.
Can I donate part of a property?
In some cases, yes. A partial interest gift is possible but more complex. It’s worth discussing with your attorney and our team together.
What if Second Harvest can’t accept my property?
Not every property gift is a good fit, and we’ll be upfront about that. If yours doesn’t work for us, we may be able to point you toward organizations that specialize in real estate gifts.
My financial advisor handles my retirement accounts.
Send them this page or put us in touch. They’ll know exactly what to do.
Not every property is a fit, and that’s OK. That’s exactly why we start with a conversation.
Four steps from property to impact
- Reach out to our team
Give us a call or fill out the form below. Tell us about the property and what you’re hoping to accomplish. No commitment — just a conversation. - We evaluate the gift together
We’ll review the property details with you and our advisors to make sure it’s a good fit for both of us: property type, location, condition and any encumbrances. - Get an independent appraisal
A qualified, independent appraisal determines the property’s fair market value and establishes your charitable deduction. The appraisal is the donor’s responsibility, but we can recommend qualified appraisers in the area.The IRS requires a qualified appraisal for property gifts valued over $5,000. It must be completed no earlier than 60 days before the transfer and no later than your tax return due date. - Transfer the property
Working with your attorney, you’ll transfer ownership to Second Harvest. We’ll typically sell the property and put the proceeds directly toward feeding neighbors across the Inland Northwest.The timeline depends on the property. A straightforward residential gift might take a few weeks. More complex gifts can take several months. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.
From property to plates
A donated property valued at $150,000 could provide the equivalent of more than 450,000 meals across Eastern Washington and North Idaho. That’s an entire community fed from one piece of property.
Meal equivalent is calculated using Feeding America’s standard of 1.2 pounds per meal and Second Harvest’s average cost per pound for distributing food across the Inland Northwest.
Is a property gift right for you?
This might be a good fit if you own property that’s appreciated significantly, you’re looking to avoid a large capital gains bill, or you have a home, land or building you no longer use or want to manage.
It’s also worth considering if you’re planning your estate and want to reduce its taxable value, or if you’re a farmer or landowner thinking about what happens to your land when you’re done working it.
If any of that sounds familiar, we’d love to talk.
Start the conversation
Every real estate gift starts with a conversation. Whether you’re ready to move forward or just exploring the idea, we’d love to hear from you.