Philanthropy and Federal Tax Legislation—A Look Around the Congressional CornerPhilanthropy and Federal Tax Legislation—A Look Around the Congressional Corner

Robert F. Sharpe, Jr. is CEO of Encore in Memphis, Tenn. He is a nationally recognized pioneer, leader and authority in the field of philanthropy. During more than 35 years serving America’s nonprofit community, he has consulted nationally with educational, health, social service, arts and religious organizations and institutions in the planning and implementation of their major, planned gift and endowment development efforts. A graduate of Vanderbilt University and Cornell Law School, he served as a development officer for a liberal arts college prior to practicing law with a major law firm specializing in taxation and estate planning.

Robert is chairman of the philanthropy editorial board of Trusts & Estates magazine and co-author of the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners (CGP) Model Standards of Gift Valuation. He has served on the board of Giving USA and on strategic task forces for the CGP. Among other publications, his remarks have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Newsweek, Forbes, Smart Money, The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Kiplinger’s.

He is a frequent speaker at gatherings across the country including Planned Giving Councils in New York, Washington, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the National Association of Charitable Gift Planners national conference, the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) National Conference, and the American Bankers Association Wealth Management and Trust Conference.

Trusted executive, thought leader, and expert. I sit at the intersection of policy and philanthropy, and leverage my savvy, coalition building expertise, and deep industry knowledge to build solutions and progress for those I work with. I am also the founder of Integer, a women-owned government relations firm.

I have demonstrated expertise in collaborating with both major political parties to accomplish client goals.  My expertise comes from years on Capitol Hill working for seasoned Members of Congress and leading government relations teams for companies and clients in the private sector. 

I serve as a Board Member of Exponent Philanthropy, Member of the Philanthropy Editorial Board of Trusts and Estates as well as an Advisory Council Member of Engage, a bipartisan women's organization that promotes economic security for all American women. I am also a frequent speaker and author, providing insightful analysis of breaking financial issues and policy trends to watch for in Washington. I often publish with CEOWorld magazine on these insightful topics to provide my expertise to the public.