The following story originally appeared in Cobb Community Foundation’s 2025 Impact Report.
Michael Sute began his career in 1996 with a large Southeast CPA firm before opening his own practice in Cobb County in 2009. A specialist in personal and corporate taxation, he’s quick to recommend a donor advised fund (DAF) when a client faces a significant tax liability.
“If a client has a decent tax bill,” he says, “whether they are an individual or a business, they usually could benefit from having a DAF.”
Introduced to Cobb Community Foundation in 2013, Michael soon realized CCF did far more than administer donor advised funds. When Marietta Country Club wanted a memorial golf tournament to have a meaningful impact, he suggested CCF provide the structure. Today, the Annual Thanksgiving Charity Classic raises more than $150,000 each year.
Other clients followed — launching scholarships, employee assistance funds, and donor advised funds through CCF.
In 2021, Michael and his wife, Jeri, opened their own DAF, proudly supporting numerous local nonprofits introduced to them by CCF.
What Is a Donor Advised Fund?
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that enables donors to contribute tax-advantaged assets, take deductions when it’s most beneficial, and recommend grants to charities over time.
DAFs simplify giving while maximizing impact and can be established by individuals, families, organizations, or companies. While DAFs at Cobb Community Foundation may support public charities anywhere, CCF intentionally keeps fundholders informed about the needs and priorities of Cobb County — and the opportunities to make a meaningful local difference.
Donor Advised Funds Established in 2025
- Clif and Angela Poston Family Fund
- D&S Morris Family Charitable Fund
- Hakes Colon Cancer Fund
- Love with Joy and Valor Fund
- Marietta Daily Journal Community Fund
- Southern States Empowerment Fund
“The benefits of having a donor advised fund far exceed any costs — plus, unlike many other options, our donor advised fund costs get reinvested back into our local community.”
For Michael, that’s the point.
“I’m grateful that I can present my clients with a solution that strengthens both their charitable goals and our community.”
