Give with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Helping donors, families, and foundations align their time, talent, and treasure with what matters most.

Hi, I'm Sharmila. As a philanthropic advisor, I have the privilege of partnering with philanthropists/donors, families, foundations, nonprofit leaders, and social impact organizations to support thoughtful grantmaking, strengthen governance, engage the next generation, and navigate opportunities for organizational growth and impact.     

I believe philanthropy is most meaningful when it reflects our values, relationships, and sense of purpose. Recognizing the immense power and potential in giving back, I am passionate about helping individuals and organizations align their time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony to their motivations, interests, and values.

Let's connect to explore what’s possible together.

Book a Discovery Call

About Sharmila

Sharmila Rao Thakkar (MPH & MPA, Columbia; BA, Brown; CAP®) is an independent philanthropic advisor with 25+ years in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector. She partners with donors, families, foundations, and nonprofit leaders on strategy, governance, grantmaking, and next-generation engagement — with a distinctive focus on diaspora and cross-border giving. Her work spans board development, executive coaching, and hands-on foundation start-up and operations; she has served as Senior Advisor to the India Philanthropy Alliance and as executive director of a family foundation. Sharmila helps leaders align their time, talent, treasure, ties, and testimony with the causes they care about most.

More about Sharmila →

Services & Offerings

Taking your work to the next level with a focus on grantmaking, governance, board development, facilitation, coaching, planning & communications

Mission & Vision
Development

Governance & Board
Development

Grantmaking
Strategies

See all services →

Multigenerational
& Next Gen Engagement

Book a Discovery Call

Testimonials

  • "We feel fortunate to have found Sharmila. From the earliest stages of our foundation's development, she has served as a trusted advisor, thought partner, and guide. As we built the foundation from the ground up, she became far more than a consultant—she has been a true partner in helping us shape our vision, strengthen our governance, and approach philanthropy with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose."

    — Kent J., founding trustee, family foundation

  • "You've helped me become a better board member and board chair. You gave me the confidence to make these changes. Your thought process, your patience and persistence, thoughtful ways of doing things...just works."

    — David C., board chair, community foundation

  • "We are better engaging our board members, especially in providing guidance on how they can support the organization between meetings. This experience has been eye-opening — I've learned how to be a better chair and to truly incorporate a distributive leadership framework."

    — Vivienne N., board chair, youth-serving nonprofit

Read more client stories →

Reach out for more information!

Thanks for visiting! Found something I’ve shared of interest or value, consider buying me a coffee.