The Aastha Horizons Fund at the Lancaster County Community Foundation launched on Feb. 14, providing new opportunities for showing love for the community through collective giving. The fund was established by a group of local Asian-Indian professionals as a reflection of their care for Lancaster County and their commitment to supporting the community for the long-term. The fund began with nearly $50,000, and monies will support urgent community issues as well as build resources meant to continue into the future.

"Aastha" is a word in the Indian language meaning belief, faith, trust, and hope for a better tomorrow. The Aastha Horizons Fund will address community needs and will provide Asian-Indian American community members with a channel for collective philanthropy.

Inspired by a shared passion for a welcoming Lancaster County that has supported their families and careers, the members of the founding Advisory Group came together to explore the idea of collective giving. The group includes Dr. Manjeet Kaur, Dr. Rakesh Popli, Rao Sankarmanchi, Dr. Nishit Trivedi, and Deepa Balepur.

The Community Foundation works with individuals, families, and businesses to design giving approaches that help to meet unique philanthropic goals. This collective giving approach, or giving circle, engages people with similar goals to work together and pool resources in order to maximize the impact of giving.

Working with the Community Foundation, the founding advisers designed a model that invites others to contribute to the Aastha Horizons Fund, with the volunteer Advisory Group determining how the dollars are granted. The Aastha Horizons Fund welcomes other donors to contribute their gifts, time, and suggestions for organizations to receive grants. Donors will also have the ability to donate pro bono services to benefit the community.