As classic cars roll into local shows or family heirlooms are admired during holiday gatherings, we are reminded that the things we treasure can be more than sentimental; they can be powerful tools for good. At the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation (PACF), we help donors turn meaningful personal assets, including collectibles, into lasting charitable impact.
Have you ever considered what your vintage car, rare coin, antique firearm, or fine jewelry might do for your community?
You don’t have to wait for your estate plan to take effect. Gifting a collectible during your lifetime can bring meaningful benefits, both for you and your community.
Donating appreciated non-cash assets can offer significant tax advantages. Donors may avoid capital gains taxes when gifting directly to a qualified charity. If itemized, the gift may also qualify for a charitable deduction based on the fair market value. These savings can be substantial, and your gift becomes an investment in the future.
For example, a recent estate gift of a jewelry collection added $25,000 to a permanent charitable fund supporting local causes.
One type of collectible with potential to “move” communities—both literally and figuratively—is the classic car. If you or a loved one owns a collectible vehicle, consider the opportunity it holds. Perhaps your heirs don’t share the same attachment to the car, or gifting it to one family member would cause conflict. Rather than selling it and paying capital gains tax, you can donate the vehicle to the PACF. We work with qualified professionals to appraise and sell the asset, then place the proceeds into a named endowment fund aligned with your philanthropic goals.
An endowment is a powerful vehicle for giving. It grows over time and distributes funds annually to support local needs, forever. Your passion for cars can live on as a permanent source of good in the community.
To explore whether this type of gift is right for you, ask yourself:
Does your family share your interest or sentimental attachment to this collectible?
If not, would they value the opportunity to create a lasting legacy instead? Are there local causes or organizations you want to support long into the future?
At the PACF, we believe these are important conversations, ones that allow your story and your values to carry forward. Your car, or any valuable collectible, can become more than a memory.
It can be the engine of real change.
The PACF manages over 500 charitable funds supporting a wide range of causes. Thanks to donors like you, recent grants from our Community Action Grant Program have provided transportation for seniors and veterans, supported mobile libraries, aided in feeding area children, assisted disaster response teams, and helped preserve historic landmarks in the Mid-Ohio Valley.
Whether it's a classic roadster you've restored, a car passed down through generations, or one you simply no longer drive, your vehicle has the potential to drive meaningful, lasting impact in your hometown.
We invite you to contact our team to learn more about how a gift of a collectible asset now or through your estate—can benefit you, your family, and your community. To get started, call 304-428-4438.
The Parkersburg Area Community Foundation and Regional Affiliates (PACF) is a nonprofit public charity that strengthens the Mid-Ohio Valley by building permanent charitable resources, providing regional philanthropic leadership, and connecting donors with community needs. Established in 1963, PACF manages more than 500 charitable funds and holds over $96 million in assets. The Foundation serves an 11-county region, including Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Jackson, Mason, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood counties in West Virginia, and Washington County, Ohio.
Disclosure: Gifts of appreciated non-cash assets can involve complex tax analysis and planning. This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal or tax advice. Please consult your professional advisor. All gifts to donor-advised funds are irrevocable.
