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Planning for the Here and NowPlanning for the Here and Now

In the past few months, we've witnessed political and economic events that are unprecedented in recent memory. The debt crisis and ensuing investment market fluctuations, record low interest rates that we've been assured are unlikely to rise in the near term and speculation about major tax law changes have combined to create an environment for estate and financial planning that some might describe

Robert F. Sharpe, Jr, CEO

September 1, 2011

8 Min Read
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Robert F. Sharpe, Jr., president of The Sharpe Group, Memphis, Tenn.

In the past few months, we've witnessed political and economic events that are unprecedented in recent memory. The debt crisis and ensuing investment market fluctuations, record low interest rates that we've been assured are unlikely to rise in the near term and speculation about major tax law changes have combined to create an environment for estate and financial planning that some might describe as uncharted territory.

In times like these, when there are so many unknowns, it may be best to stop and consider what's still relatively certain — and what that may mean for those who are philanthropically inclined, but who understandably want to maintain economic security for ...

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About the Author

Robert F. Sharpe, Jr

CEO, Encore

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.