Robert F. Sharpe, Jr.

With over 30 years of experience serving America’s nonprofit community, Robert Sharpe is a nationally recognized pioneer, leader, and authority in the field of philanthropy. As President of the Sharpe Group, he consults with educational, health, social service, and religious organizations and institutions in implementing and improving their major and planned gift development efforts. With offices in Memphis, Washington, DC and San Francisco, the Sharpe Group has worked with over 10,000 nonprofits nationwide during its 52-year history.

Robert is chairman of the philanthropy editorial board of Trusts & Estates magazine and co-author of the Model Standards of Gift Valuation. He has served on the board of Giving USA and was a member of the PPP Strategic Task Force in 2006. Robert has authored many articles and his remarks have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsweek, Forbes, Smart Money, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Trusts & Estates, Kiplinger’s and other national publications. He is a frequent speaker for professional gatherings across the country.

Robert earned a bachelor’s degree with honors at Vanderbilt University and a J.D. at Cornell Law School. In past years, he practiced law with a major law firm specializing in income, estate, and gift taxation and corporate planning.