Honorable Natty B. Davis discusses the formation of Liberia’s Philanthropy Secretariat. He describes how the secretariat aimed to capitalize on all of the good will and support surrounding President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Davis saw a need to coordinate with the donors and philanthropic organizations interested in supporting Liberia’s growth. His goals were to inform donors and facilitate their work, so the Secretariat consisted of a staff dedicated to following up on donors’ interest and coordinating their support, Davis explains. Additionally, they worked to reach out to potential new donors. Davis explains that aligning donor activity with the President’s priorities was the Secretariat’s focus.
Case Study: Matching Goodwill with National Priorities: Liberia's Philanthropy Secretariat, 2008-2012
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At the time of this interview, the Honorable Natty B. Davis was the chairman of the National Investment Commission. He discusses his time as Minister of State without Portfolio, during which he created the Philanthropy Secretariat. He had previously served as the national coordinator of the Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee (LRDC). He served as deputy minister of commerce as well as coordinator of the Ministry of Finance’s Economic Financial Management Committee. Davis has worked as a consultant for a variety of international development projects, including UNAIDS and UNDP (United Nations Development Program). His background also includes private sector experience.