“Aastha” is a word in the Indian language meaning belief, faith, trust, hope for a better tomorrow. Like the sunrise over the horizon which symbolizes hope and a new day, the Aastha Horizons Fund will create significant impact while addressing community needs and will provide Asian-Indian American community members with a channel for collective philanthropy.

Established by a group of local Asian-Indian professionals, the fund reflects their care for Lancaster County and commitment to supporting the community for the long-term.  The fund launched with support from this group of founding advisors and invites contributions that will support urgent community issues as well as build resources that will continue into the future.

Many Asian-Indian Americans residing in Lancaster County are immigrants or first-generation Americans.  Asian-Indian immigrant settlement in Lancaster County began in the late 1960s with immigrants coming to the United States of America from India and settling all across the USA and Central Pennsylvania. Indian immigrants sought advanced education, better job opportunities and peace and prosperity. 

Lancaster County offered everything that the newcomers wanted.  It provided them with excellent opportunities to grow in their careers and continued providing better financial opportunities, housing, education and a friendly and supportive community environment. The local residents were honest, trustworthy and hard-working.  Most families who have come have been welcomed by Lancaster area’s local communities and have enjoyed living here.

The founding advisory group is comprised of these individuals: Mr. Rao Sankarmanchi, Mrs. Deepa Balepur,  Dr. Manjeet Kaur, Dr. Rakesh Popli, and Dr. Nishit Trivedi.

The fund will have a long-term focus but also the ability to support urgent needs in the community. This fund is a giving circle, which means it 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” used to benefit the community.

By collectively giving, we can combine our resources and efforts to help create a better tomorrow and shared future for Lancaster County, a wonderful place many of us now call home.