MBA student Jordan McCall aids Haiti with loan program

Many college students come to school with hopes of changing the world. One graduate student is doing just that, one microloan at a time.

Jordan McCall, a Seattle University master's in business administration student, recently created a Web site that will help Haitians through microfinance. McCall's passion for microfinance and his desire to get more involved with what he calls "ethical businesses to change the world" inspired him to set up his Web site, c2fund.org.

After first responders go in following disasters to aid in the immediate recovery effort, organizations like the Grameen Foundation, a nonprofit that combines the use of microfinance and technology, assist in rebuilding local economies. Grameen offers loans to people affected by disasters so they may reestablish themselves and provide for their families. After the loans are repaid, the money initially used to help one family or individual is put back into the community through work projects.

The Haiti earthquake struck shortly after McCall set up his Web site. He contacted the Grameen Foundation once again and asked if all the money from his site could be put toward aiding relief efforts in Haiti.

"After a disaster, people throw money at foundations to help, but sometimes a lot of it can't be used because of political factors," said Leola Ross, one of McCall's colleagues and a former Seattle University professor who has been involved with micro-enterprise work . "McCall wants it all to be used, so he is helping in ‘step two,' helping people understand what comes next after immediate response."

The foundation accepted McCall's change in proposal, and his site is currently sending all its funds to the Grameen Foundation's work in Haiti.

"I was first inspired to get my MBA because I knew I wanted to do more in my career. I wanted to make a difference outside of a profit," McCall said. "Microfinance embodied the concept of ‘solving poverty' and helping people sustain themselves."

As professors, friends and colleagues began to recognize the passion that McCall had for microfinance, they recommended he get involved with the Grameen Foundation as a way to get started in that field.

Ross recognized McCall's interest in microfinance early.

"He has been gradually building up that interest but he was very interested in making sure that it was effective in making a difference," Ross said of McCall's beginning with the Grameen Foundation.

According to McCall, what sets microfinance apart from other help businesses is that microfinance is focused on loaning people money, not just giving it to them.

Microfinance is still in the early stages of development, and according to McCall, people are often uncomfortable with it .

"Microfinance has been shown to be one of the most successful tools for long term development," said Christopher Redner, CEO of Children in Need, an organization that allows donors to sponsor children living in poverty. "It's not like a handout of money for the people. It encourages them to take responsibility and gives them a sense of empowerment."

While c2fund.org is just the first microfinance project McCall has been involved in, he hopes to create similar ones in the future.

"When I started I thought, ‘I am going to do this now and maybe someday start my own foundation,'" McCall said. "I want to create something people find intriguing and promote global awareness."

C2fund.org is ending its Haiti funding project Feb. 10. Donations for other projects will still be accepted after that date.

Aubrey may be reached at aeyre@su-spectator.com.