A Brief History of ACVFA
Established 1946
 On May 4, 1946, President Harry S. Truman wrote a letter to his Secretary of State James F. Byrnes and Secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson requesting their joint effort in appointing a “new Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid... to tie together the governmental and private programs in the field of foreign relief.” Following the termination of the President’s War Relief Board, established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Advisory Committee took the lead in recommending and directing a joint private-public effort to gather resources for foreign assistance. The creation of a committee directed at coordinating U.S. foreign aid was necessitated by the human tragedies and the international devastation seen in the aftermath of World War II. Currently, the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid continues to provide guidance and counsel to USAID in building partnerships that enable much needed foreign assistance around the world.
Original Members
Charles P. Taft, Chairman
On May 18, 1946, Mr. Taft was invited by Secretary of State Byrnes and Secretary of Agriculture Anderson to serve as chairman of the new Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. Prior to accepting his Chairmanship, Taft served on the President’s War Relief Control Board.
Chester Davis, Committee Member
President Truman made a special request for Chairman Taft to appoint Mr. Chester Davis to the committee for his outstanding character. Mr. Davis was believed to possess desired insight from his work on the Federal Reserve Board.
William Batt, Committee Member
President Truman also made a special request for Chairman Taft to appoint Mr. William Batt to the committee. Mr. Batt was acknowledged by President Truman as an outstanding citizen for his work as Head of the War Economic Board.
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