Bonnie Gettys is the founding president of the Barry Community Foundation. Under her leadership, the foundation has grown from an initial investment of $350,000 to more than $55 million.

Bonnie formally served as co-chair of the Michigan Rural Philanthropy Affinity Group (managed and staffed by the Council of Michigan Foundations) and is chair of the Rural Partners of Michigan (managed and staffed by the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan). Her current focus is on rural housing challenges. Her passion is public speaking and training. She travels all over the U.S. teaching recruitment, retention, membership, volunteerism, leadership, and rural fund development to communities.

Bonnie lives in Hastings, which has a population of nearly 60,000 and is nestled between four urban cities: Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Lansing. She loves where she lives!