The Virginia Zoological Society accepts gifts of marketable securities that have been held for at least one year and one day. Gifts of securities may apply to our Annual Fund, Capital Campaign, Keeper Fund, or Conservation & Research Fund.

Information you will need

Our brokerage firm is Wachovia Securities at 500 East Main Street, Norfolk, Virginia 23510 and our broker is John E. Sommers, III. He can be reached at (757) 640-5900. Our Depository Trust Company (DTC) number is 141 and the account name is Virginia Zoological Society.

If your broker holds your stock, you may donate securities using either of these options:

1) Notify your broker to deliver the securities to the Virginia Zoological Society stockbroker.

2) You may notify your broker to deliver the securities to the Virginia Zoological Society stockbroker through the DTC to DTC#141. Your broker will require your signature and your transfer form and will electronically process the transfer.

If you hold the stock, you may donate the securities by any of these options:

1) Personally deliver the securities to our broker. Mr. Sommers will require an endorsement at the time of delivery of all names that appear on the face of the certificate.

2) Mail unsigned certificates to our broker. Our broker will mail you a "stock power" which must be executed and returned to her immediately.

3) Personally deliver or mail the unsigned certificates to the Virginia Zoological Society (VZS) office with a letter indicating that you are gifting the securities to the VZS. An officer of the VZS will deliver the securities to our broker. As the donor, you must provide the appropriate signatures as soon as possible.

If the donor is an estate, corporation or partnership, separate documentation is required in addition to proper signatures. Securities should not be sold until the necessary signatures, documentation or legal papers are in hand and have been approved by the VZS broker. It is our policy to sell gifted securities upon receipt.

The value of your contribution will be calculated using the high and low sale price of the securities on the date that the securities were transferred to our account. This date may or may not be the date that the stock is sold.

If you need additional information, please contact our Development Department (757) 441-2374 ext. 222 or email us at anne.vogt@norfolk.gov.