Bettina and Mike Jetter: Just Doing It

Bettina and Mike Jetter / photo by Eric Slomanson

When Bettina and Mike Jetter, Corte Madera residents and MCF donors since 2005, think about their charitable giving, one starting place is what they call "tapping into (their) inner global citizen."

The Jetters grew up in Germany, and while they have started successful businesses here in the U.S., they retain an international perspective in everything they do.

As entrepreneurs, they are also attracted to an entrepreneurial spirit in addressing societal needs. Bettina says, "We have the most passion about people who see a need and just do something."

Finally, they are driven by efforts that help people realize their potential, especially educational programs affecting young people. "This is where it all starts," says Mike.

These motivations and interests led the Jetters to support the Nepalese Youth Opportunity Foundation, which provides education, housing, medical care, and emotional support to destitute children in Nepal.

Its founder is also a Marin resident, Olga Murray, who went to Nepal 25 years ago after she retired and, explains Bettina, "...saw kids with so many needs and started this great organization. We like that groups like this can make a little money go so far. They tend to be small organizations with an entrepreneurial spirit that brings people together."

"You can feel the passion with these kinds of organizations," she adds.

Although the Jetters acknowledge that it costs more, and takes more time, to get things done here in the U.S., they value the efficiency that often comes with funding international efforts.

Mike cites a project in Mexico where 20 volunteers built a hospital for $125,000. "We like to be able to see what can be accomplished with little money, without a lot of bureaucracy," he explains.

When the Jetters support efforts in Marin, they're attracted by many of the same qualities they seek in their international giving. For example, their support of Next Generation Scholars, which provides support to high school seniors who are the first in their families to go to college, is rooted in both its focus on education and on the fact that many of its participants are immigrants.

"As immigrants ourselves," says Bettina, "we know how hard it is sometimes to live outside your family and culture."

The Jetters instill their work and their charitable activities with a palpable sense of purpose. As Mike puts it, "It's about really doing something, without fear, not just saying you're going to do it. That's what really drives us."