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Liberian Philanthropy Secretariat Seeds Success.

September 28, 2011 by

[HTML1] Liberia is a model of transformation from a country torn with civil war to a democracy where industry and philanthropy are coming together as a result of enlightened leadership.  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a Harvard graduate, is the first woman Head of State in Liberia, and she is leading Liberia into a period of growth that promises to secure its people’s future.  (Photo by David Vaucher provided through Google’s Panoramio)

With the help of philanthropic and for-profit organizations, Sirleaf has formed the Philanthropy Secretariat now managed by Jennah Scott, a first generation immigrant to the USA and current resident of Liberia.  After graduating from Georgia State University in Political Science and International Affairs, Ms. Scott expanded her expertise by first working with refugees and immigrants in Atlanta Georgia.  From there, she moved to Washington DC where she worked to further democracy world-wide through the National Democratic Institute.  In 2009, she moved to Liberia to work with the then new Philanthropy Secretariat.

Philanthropy is an important partner in the fight to eradicate extreme poverty.  In addition to supporting important nonprofit programs, philanthropic grants help seed new, for-profit ventures.  The Eleos Foundation utilizes grants in the initial phase of growing for-profit industry in Liberia and other countries and then fosters traditional for-profit investment in companies that have successfully developed social impact programs.  Liberia is one country where such a company, Liberty and Justice,  has shown itself active in the fight to eradicate poverty and improve education and health through a profit-sharing model and 49% employee-owned business model.  This company brings new industry, new jobs to Liberia and is helping to build new schools.

With the active help of the Philanthropy Secretariat of Liberia, progress is in motion with numerous philanthropic organizations.  The Secretariat provides services to connect organizations and facilitate communication so as to maximize synergy between the organizations and assure success as well as to mitigate risk.

To learn more about the Philanthropy Secretariat of Liberia, you may email Ms. Jennah Scott at: Philanthropy@emansion.gov.lr and visit the website at SupportLiberia.com.

(Photo by David Vaucher provided through Google’s Panoramio)

To get information about the Secretariat and Ms. Scott’s visit to California, contact The Eleos Foundation.  By listening to our first interview with Andy Lower and the second interview about The Eleos Foundation’s Blueprint of Impact Investing educational series, you will learn more about their work and available investments.

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About Robin Eschler

Robin L. Eschler, the founder of Social Impact Marketing, started her career in developing foundational marketing strategies for companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 to individual entrepreneurs and local businesses. She has developed and implemented international campaigns to launch high tech products and services and guided new business owners to successfully navigate the difficulties of growing a business.

Her life-long passion for helping others led her into nonprofit work for over a decade. Early on, she recognized the need for nonprofits to adapt to a rapidly changing world in which technology dominates and for-profit business practices are central to success. Her determination to help social causes in a sustainable way led to her creation of the Women's Radio show Socially Conscious Investing.

Impact investing in for-profits with a mission of social change such as the fight against extreme poverty is a blossoming business sector around the world. With the economic decline, it's clear that Wall Street requires change. Social impact investing addresses that need in a way that provides financial and social ROI.

As the Host of Socially Conscious Investing on WomensRadio, Robin's goal is to educate people about the growth of social impact investing and social venture. Interviews are conducted with socially conscious business experts including foundations and nonprofits, social venture investment firms, micro-loan organizations, investors, educators, authors and social entrepreneurs.

This show's mission is to help change the world through sustainable business practices that contribute to the economy, combat poverty, end hunger and provide better lives to all.

Twice, Robin has been recognized and received the highest honorary award that Rotary International gives, the Paul Harris Award, for service above self. Her community work has included developing local programs for disadvantaged populations such as foster children, troubled teens, and people with disabilities.

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