Building a stronger Barry County, together

Barry Community Foundation helps people give locally, supports organizations doing important work, and connects students with scholarship opportunities. Since 1995, we have helped strengthen communities across Barry County, Michigan through charitable giving, grants, scholarships, partnerships, and long-term community investment.

Serving donors, nonprofits, students, and communities throughout Barry County, Michigan.

30 Years of Growing Good in Barry

For 30 years, Barry Community Foundation has brought people, ideas, and resources together to support Barry County. What began with a shared belief in local giving has grown into lasting support for students, families, nonprofits, and community projects. Watch our anniversary video to see how generosity has shaped the past and continues to create opportunities for the future.

Barry Community Foundation at a Glance

Founded

1995

Based In

Hasting, MI

Serving

Barry County, MI

Address

231 S. Broadway St.

Purpose

Connecting charitable resources with local needs and opportunities

Supports

Giving, grants, scholarships, partnerships, and community initiatives

Find the Right Way to Get Involved

Whether you want to give back, apply for funding, support a student, or learn about local initiatives, Barry Community Foundation can help you take the next step.

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Give

Support a local cause, honor someone special, or create a lasting charitable legacy.

Five people holding a large ceremonial check in front of a brick wall.

Apply for a Grant

Find grant opportunities for eligible nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community programs.

Graduates in black gowns toss mortarboards into the blue sky at an outdoor ceremony

Find a Scholarship

Explore scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors and adult students.

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Get Involved

Learn about partnerships, community initiatives, and ways to help Barry County thrive.

What Does Barry Community Foundation Do?

Barry Community Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation based in Hastings, Michigan. We connect charitable people, local organizations, and community needs across Barry County.


Through permanent charitable funds, grants, scholarships, partnerships, and community initiatives, we help donors create lasting impact and help local people and organizations access resources that improve lives.


Our work supports a welcoming, vibrant, and engaged Barry County where residents have opportunities to prosper.

Local Giving. Lasting Impact.

For more than 30 years, Barry Community Foundation has helped generous people turn their charitable goals into meaningful local impact.

$67M+

In charitable assets managed as reported in the 2025 Annual Report

400+

Charitable funds supporting local causes

100+

Scholarships awarded each year through the Foundation and its affiliates

Since 1995

Serving Barry County through local philanthropy

Giving Opportunities

There are many ways to give through Barry Community Foundation. You can support an existing charitable fund, give to a local area of need, establish a fund of your own, or include the Foundation in your long-term plans.

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Give to a Fund

Find a fund that supports the people, places, and causes you care about in Barry County.

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Give by Area of Interest

Explore giving opportunities in education, health, housing, youth programs, arts, community development, and other local priorities.

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Create a Lasting Legacy

Create a charitable fund or make a planned gift that supports Barry County for generations to come.

Featured Ways to Give

These funds and initiatives reflect current opportunities to make a difference in Barry County.

Nashville Dreams Initiative logo with green script text and a tree centered between words

Nashville Dreams Initiative

A new program, designed to engage all residents to create a future for their community, is supported and championed by a certified coaching team.

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Community Heart & Soul

A new program, designed to engage all residents to create a future for their community, is supported and championed by a certified coaching team.

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Barry County Housing Fund

Safe, attainable, and affordable housing is a key pillar of a healthy, vibrant community. A stable housing inventory is critical to its economic well-being.



Download the Housing Toolkit

Scholarships for Barry County Students

College Bound. Community Grounded.

Barry Community Foundation and its geographic affiliates award more than 100 scholarships each year to graduating high school seniors and adult students pursuing college, career training, and other educational goals.


Students can explore available scholarship opportunities, review eligibility requirements, and apply through the Foundation’s scholarship system.

Scholarship applications are open from December 1 through February 20.
Adult student scholarships may be available year-round.

Strong Communities Start With Strong Connections

Barry Community Foundation brings people and organizations together to address local opportunities and challenges. We work with community partners, donors, nonprofits, schools, and leaders to support projects that create meaningful, long-term results.

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Community Partnerships

We support partnerships that connect local people, organizations, and resources.

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Community Initiatives

We help lead and support efforts that address important Barry County priorities, including affordable housing and community connection.

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Community Impact Investing

We explore ways charitable resources can support projects that create both community benefit and long-term local impact.

Creating the Conditions for a Healthy Community

Barry Community Foundation uses the Seven Elements of a Healthy Community Framework to guide its work and focus local resources where they can make a meaningful difference.


We believe a healthy Barry County is welcoming, connected, and full of opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds.

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Black heart icon on a white background
Black heart icon on a white background
Black heart icon on a white background
Black heart icon on a white background
Black heart icon on a white background
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Geographic Affiliates

For over 20 years, we have been proud to support 2 affiliate foundations in neighboring communities right here in Barry County.

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Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation
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Delton Kellogg Education Foundation

Stories of Impact

See how donors, students, nonprofits, schools, and community partners are making a difference across Barry County.

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Supporting Mental Health

By Barry Community Foundation • May 9, 2024
The Barry Community Foundation generously funds while fostering and supporting programs designed to improve the mental health of our residents. Read more here.
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4 Key Programs For Kids

By Barry Community Foundation • May 9, 2024
Providing classroom grants & generous scholarships, education is a key ingredient to fostering a healthy and vibrant community. View 4 Key Programs for kids.
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Trusted Partner

By Barry Community Foundation • March 6, 2024
The Barry Community Foundation strives to be a trusted agent for positive change in our community. We have extensive expertise in managing funds.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is Barry Community Foundation?

    Barry Community Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation based in Hastings, Michigan. It connects charitable donors, local organizations, and community needs through funds, grants, scholarships, partnerships, and community initiatives that serve Barry County.

  • How can I donate to Barry Community Foundation?

    You can donate to an existing fund, give to a featured local cause, support an area of interest, create a charitable fund, or make a planned gift. Visit the Giving section to find the option that fits your goals.

  • Who can apply for grants?

    Grant eligibility depends on the program. Many opportunities are designed for eligible nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and community organizations serving Barry County. Visit the Grants section to review each program’s guidelines, deadlines, and application instructions.

  • Who can apply for scholarships?

    Barry Community Foundation scholarships are available for eligible graduating high school seniors and adult students. Requirements vary by scholarship. Students should review available scholarships and application details before applying.

  • How do I contact Barry Community Foundation?

    You can contact Barry Community Foundation by phone at (269) 945-0526, visit the office at 231 S. Broadway St., Hastings, MI 49058, or use the contact form on this website.

Stay Connected With Barry Community Foundation

Get updates about grant opportunities, scholarship deadlines, community initiatives, Foundation news, and ways to make a difference in Barry County.

Homepage Contact Form