Anu Chitrapu Highlights the Mission Behind the Asian Community Fund’s Rising Together Gala

Anu Chitrapu, Senior Vice President and Executive at Bank of America and co-chair of the 2026 Asian Community Fund “Rising Together” Gala, discusses the mission of the Asian Community Fund and the importance of supporting AAPI communities across Massachusetts.

The third annual gala will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, bringing together business, civic, philanthropic and community leaders to celebrate AAPI leadership and support organizations serving communities across the Commonwealth.

This year’s gala will honor Julie Kim, President & CEO of Takeda, with the Paul W. Lee AAPI Leadership Award, and Anantha P. Chandrakasan, MIT Provost, Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and former Dean of the MIT School of Engineering, with the Helen Chin Schlichte Community Builder Award.

Chitrapu brings extensive experience in business, entrepreneurship and community leadership. In addition to her role at Bank of America, she founded Nyrvaana, a social enterprise that works to divert fabric from landfills while creating employment opportunities for disadvantaged women. She also created “You Can Be,” a book encouraging young girls to pursue any career by showcasing accomplished women role models who look like them.

She served as President of TiE Boston from 2020 to 2022 and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Museum of Science, Boston, as well as the advisory board of Direct Action for Women Now. She is also active with several Boston-area nonprofits, including the American India Foundation. Chitrapu holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.

The 2026 gala is co-chaired by Anu Chitrapu, Rushika Fernandopulle of Liza Health, and Chinh Pham of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. Past honorees Geeta Aiyer, Bob Rivers, Yvonne Hao and Reshma Kewalramani will serve as honorary co-chairs.

Founded in 2020 at the Boston Foundation, the Asian Community Fund is the first and only philanthropic fund in Massachusetts dedicated exclusively to supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. ACF works to increase AAPI visibility, strengthen community organizations, foster partnerships and build a stronger advocacy voice across the Commonwealth.

ACF recently awarded a record $635,000 to 59 nonprofit organizations, bringing its total investment since 2022 to $2.4 million across 135 community-based organizations. Supported organizations address issues including legal services, advocacy, food insecurity, economic stability, community well-being and belonging.

The “Rising Together” Gala combines recognition of AAPI leaders with cultural performances, cuisine and storytelling. Last year’s gala raised more than $800,000 for ACF programs and grantmaking.