3 Questions With ... Philanthropist Niti Srivastava

The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County is proud to amplify the voices and stories of women givers in our community through our regular series "Our Giving, Our Stories". Inspiring philanthropic leadership and increasing giving by amplifying the voices of women and girls are among the goals of this effort and we are committed to advancing this important work in our community.​

This month for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month we are profiling Niti Srivastava, Executive Director of the Indian Cultural Association.

We asked her what moves her to give her time, talent, and financial resources, and she said:

"Through my work with the Indian Cultural Association (ICA), I saw firsthand the gaps in culturally relevant support for the Indian-American community and food access for all Howard County residents. ICA events are free and open to all. We welcome cross-cultural exchange of ideas, traditions, and perspectives, creating a space where communities can come together to learn from one another, celebrate diversity, and build a more caring, inclusive community."

We asked Niti when she started giving to issues that are important to her, and here's what she said:

"I co-founded the Indian Cultural Association (ICA) in 2018 after witnessing unmet needs in our community. Seeing families navigate these challenges without familiar resources pushed me to act. During COVID, we began free food distributions for all Howard County residents. I saw both need and resilience up close, and the power of community-driven support. It sparked a lasting commitment to give my time and resources where I can create a lasting impact."

And, we asked what advice she has for those interested in giving back, and she said:

"My journey with ICA has taught me that action, even in small ways, creates momentum. Whether supporting food distributions or other community efforts, your time and presence matter more than you realize. As the saying goes, 'If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Impact begins with action, and consistency matters more than scale.'"

Here's several organizations that Niti currently supports:

• Feed HoCo Inc.
• Grassroots
• HopeWorks

Thank you, Niti, for all that you do for our community!

Learn more about the ​WGC's "Our Giving, Our Stories" and nominate a woman today! We are always accepting the names of women throughout the year who may be profiled for their inspiring philanthropic leadership.

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