Options are always a good thing, and today's philanthropists have many choices available regarding their philanthropic financial planning.  Many families have for years employed multiple vehicles for their philanthropy - often including Private Foundations, Charitable Trusts, and Donor Advised Funds.  Private Foundations and Donor Advised Funds serve as conduits between families and public charities.  Both vehicles allow a philanthropist to accelerate a charitable income tax deduction by transferring property immediately into a vehicle rather than waiting to distribute one's assets directly to a public charity.  Once the vehicle is set up, and the asset is transferred, the donor has time to choose a charity, or charities, to support.  Both vehicles also provide an opportunity for assets to grow, to fund future charitable gifts and an opportunity for the donor to involve family members in creating and achieving philanthropic objectives.  Due to the investment volatility in the markets over the last several years, some established Private Foundations may be considering an option of closing their Private Foundation and collapsing it into a Donor Advised Fund with The Spartanburg County Foundation.  By doing so, there are considerable savings to be achieved in setting up the Donor Advised Fund.  There is a greater income tax deduction; there is no 2% excise tax; there is no mandatory 5% payout requirement of net assets annually; there is no filing of annual 990s thereby eliminating all accounting and legal fees; and no administrative services requiring the hiring of staff.  The Spartanburg County Foundation is ready to be your partner in your philanthropic pursuits providing considerable annual savings on your investment assets.