When Terri Cole passed away earlier this year, her family honored her life of generosity with a request for donations in her memory. But Terri had planned ahead to ensure her giving would extend far beyond her lifetime. The Cole Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at Cobb Community Foundation, continues to support the causes Terri cherished—and you can create a legacy of your own, too.
Some legacies are measured not just by years lived, but by the lives touched. Terri and Steve Cole spent decades preserving history, uplifting the arts, and caring for their community. When Terri passed away on January 3, 2025, her family honored her lifelong commitment to giving by requesting donations in lieu of flowers to several organizations close to her heart: First Presbyterian Church, North Metro Church, Cobb Landmarks, and the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art.
But Terri’s impact didn’t stop there.
Long before her passing, Terri and Steve thoughtfully planned their charitable legacy. In 2009, they established the Cole Family Fund, a Donor Advised Fund at Cobb Community Foundation (CCF), with the goal of maximizing their giving over time. By contributing appreciated assets when their income was highest, they ensured more dollars would go directly to causes they loved—rather than to taxes.
Terri also made a powerful decision in her estate plan. Rather than directing her IRA to family—where much of it would be reduced by income taxes—she named the Cole Family Fund as the beneficiary. Because charities don’t pay income tax on retirement assets, her gift could make a far greater impact.
Now, Steve continues the work they started together, using the fund to support historic preservation, the arts, and community causes—just as Terri would have wanted. Their foresight, generosity, and love for their community have created a legacy that will live on for generations.
Want to build your own legacy of giving? It can start with a single step. Whether it’s including a charitable fund in your estate plan or naming CCF as a beneficiary of your IRA, making a lasting impact is more accessible than ever.
📞 Call (770) 859-2366 or 📧 email CCFTeam@cobbfoundation.org to learn how your values can live on.
