Whipple Marlboro Fund established by foundation

FLORENCE — The Whipple Marlboro Fund has been established as a donor-advised fund of the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation.

The Whipple Marlboro Fund is the first county-wide fund to be created within the foundation, an umbrella charity serving residents of the counties in the Pee Dee. The charitable purpose of the fund is to assist those who are in the most humble walks of life and most needy in Marlboro County.

The Whipple Marlboro Foundation was established in 1972 by Charles S. Whipple of Plunkett’s Creek Township in Lycoming County, Pa. The existing officers will become donor advisers for the Whipple Marlboro Fund, continuing the same work done since 1972. They will advise the foundation on how the Whipple Fund earnings should be spent each year.

The Whipple Marlboro Foundation began with $46,406.55 from Whipple’s estate and has distributed more than $150,000 for the benefit of Marlboro County’s residents since that time.

“It is a wonderful example of a private foundation realizing the benefits that a community foundation can offer,” Susan Bankson, the foundation’s executive director, said in a press release. “They will continue to do the same philanthropic work in Marlboro County that they have done for over 30 years without the administrative and financial responsibilities, allowing more money to be spent on charitable giving.”

Bill Kinney Jr., chairman of the former Whipple Marlboro Foundation distribution committee, presented a ceremonial $161,382 check Oct. 5 to the Eastern Carolina Community Foundation.

“It was in the best interests of the residents of Marlboro County for the Whipple Fund to be established as a donor advised fund within the regional foundation. Increasing fees made it more financially desirable and feasible to take this action,” Kinney said in a press release issued by the foundation.

The mission of the foundation is to improve the quality of life in this area of South Carolina through inspired philanthropy and innovative community programs. It was created in 2006 to meet needs in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro and Williamsburg counties and is a public charity established as a collection of charitable funds built with gifts and bequests from people in eastern South Carolina. The foundation acts as a partner and grant maker that unites the generosity of donors with experienced professionals to create effective approaches to charitable giving.

Additional gifts to the Whipple Marlboro Fund may be made by those interested. For more information, visit http://www.easterncarolinacf.org or call Bankson at (843) 667-1131.