About Us — MITRA Foundation

National CSR Award

2025 Recipient

Who We Are

MITRA Foundation — A People-First Development Organisation

MITRA Foundation — the Mission of Integrated Training on Rural and Agriculture Development — is a Section 8, not-for-profit organisation registered under the Companies Act, 2013. Founded in 2005 by a group of development practitioners, social workers, and agricultural scientists, MITRA was born from a shared conviction that rural communities hold the knowledge and strength to transform their own futures when given the right support.

Over two decades, MITRA has grown from a single-district initiative in Maharashtra into a pan-India organisation with a presence in 18 states, 128 districts, 640 blocks, and 6,500+ villages. We are driven by an unwavering belief in community-led, participatory development that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable.

MITRA works at the intersection of agriculture, livelihoods, gender equity, water security, education, and financial inclusion — creating integrated interventions that address the root causes of rural poverty.

Section 8 Company (CIN: U85300MH2005NPL XXXXX)

FCRA Registered for Foreign Contributions

80G & 12A Tax Exemption Certificate

NITI Aayog NGO Darpan Registered

CSR Schedule VII Compliant (Companies Act 2013)

Our History

Two Decades of Transformative Journey

From a small grassroots initiative to a pan-India institution — the MITRA story is one of commitment, courage, and community.

20 Years of
Service

The Beginning (2005)

MITRA Foundation was established in Pune, Maharashtra by a group of 12 passionate development professionals who had worked with government programs and international NGOs for decades. Inspired by the unfinished agenda of rural development, they pooled their expertise to create a responsive, community-driven alternative. The first program was a pilot Agriculture Extension project in Osmanabad district, reaching 1,200 smallholder farmers in its inaugural year.

Scaling Up (2008–2013)

A landmark grant from NABARD in 2008 enabled MITRA to expand its watershed programs across the Marathwada region. The introduction of the Self Help Group (SHG) federation model in 2010 catalysed a dramatic scale-up in women empowerment. By 2013, MITRA had a presence in 5 states and was partnering with the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) as an implementation support agency.

National Expansion (2014–2019)

The passage of the CSR mandate under the Companies Act 2013 opened transformative partnerships with India's leading corporates. MITRA expanded into Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. International collaborations with GIZ, UNICEF, and the World Bank further strengthened our technical capacity and geographic reach, bringing MITRA to 12 states by 2019.

Consolidation & Innovation (2020–Present)

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, MITRA rapidly pivoted to deliver food security support, digital banking assistance, and mental health resources to over 500,000 vulnerable households. The post-pandemic era has seen MITRA embrace digital tools — mobile extension services, AI-based crop advisory, and e-commerce platforms for SHG products — to deepen and sustain its impact in 18 states.

Purpose & Direction

Our Vision & Mission

Our Vision

“Empowered People. Resilient Communities. Sustainable Futures.”

"MITRA Foundation envisions a just, inclusive and sustainable society where individuals and communities—especially those facing social and economic vulnerabilities—are empowered with knowledge, opportunities and resources to lead dignified, self-reliant and prosperous lives."

Equitable Communities

Self-Reliant Villages

Gender Justice

Environmental Balance

Our Mission

"To empower vulnerable women, marginal and small farmers, persons with disabilities and underserved communities through skills development, access to finance, sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurship and capacity building, enabling them to become self-reliant, resilient and active participants in building inclusive, sustainable and peaceful communities."

Integrated Programs

Community Participation

Sustainable Impact

Inclusive Growth

Why Choose Us

Why Partner With MITRA Foundation?

What sets MITRA apart is not just what we do, but how we do it — with integrity, community ownership, and measurable impact.

01

Community-Owned Approach

Every MITRA program is designed with, not for, communities. Village-level institutions — SHGs, FPOs, and water committees — own and govern the programs, ensuring sustainability long after the project ends.

02

Rigorous Impact Measurement

We invest heavily in monitoring and evaluation — with real-time MIS, third-party impact assessments, and longitudinal studies — to ensure every rupee invested achieves its maximum social return.

03

Convergence with Government

MITRA deeply integrates with government schemes — PMKVY, PMFBY, PM-KISAN, NRLM, JJBY, MGNREGS — maximising impact by accessing all entitlements for beneficiaries and leveraging public resources.

04

Women at the Centre

Gender equity is not a standalone program for MITRA — it is the foundation of all our work. Women are mobilised as agents of change in every sector, from agriculture to water governance to financial decision-making.

05

Technology-Enabled Delivery

From AI crop advisory apps to digital SHG passbooks and geo-tagged MIS systems, MITRA uses technology to improve the quality, scale, and accountability of our programs in even the most remote geographies.

06

Transparent Governance

MITRA maintains the highest standards of financial transparency, with annual Chartered Accountant audits, publicly available annual reports, and compliance with all statutory requirements including FCRA, FEMA, and Companies Act 2013.

What Guides Us

Our Core Values

These six values are not just principles — they are living commitments that define every decision, every program, and every relationship at MITRA.

Compassion

We approach every community with deep empathy, listening before acting, and treating every beneficiary with dignity, respect, and genuine care.

Human Dignity

Integrity

We are accountable to our beneficiaries, partners, and the public — operating with full transparency, ethical conduct, and zero tolerance for corruption.

Accountability

Participation

Communities are not beneficiaries — they are partners, decision-makers, and leaders. We co-design, co-implement, and co-evaluate all programs.

Inclusion

Innovation

We continuously learn, adapt, and experiment — embracing technology, evidence-based approaches, and creative problem-solving to improve our programs.

Learning

Sustainability

Our interventions are designed for permanence — building local institutions, capacities, and resources that continue to generate impact for generations to come.

Continuity

Equity

We prioritise the most marginalised — women, tribals, Dalits, persons with disabilities — and actively work to dismantle structural barriers to their development.

Social Justice

Our Objectives

Strategic Objectives that Drive Our Work

MITRA Foundation's programmatic work is governed by six strategic objectives that collectively address the multi-dimensional nature of rural poverty and align with India's national development goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG 1 — No Poverty

SDG 2 — Zero Hunger

SDG 5 — Gender Equality

SDG 6 — Clean Water

SDG 8 — Decent Work

SDG 13 — Climate Action

01

Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoods

Improve farm productivity, diversify income sources, and strengthen market linkages for 500,000 smallholder farming households through FPOs, technology, and climate-smart practices by 2030.

02

Women’s Economic Empowerment

Mobilise and strengthen 75,000 Self-Help Groups, enabling 1 million women to access financial services, enterprise opportunities, and leadership roles in community governance.

03

Water & Natural Resource Security

Implement watershed management, WASH, and irrigation programs in 5,000 water-stressed villages, ensuring year-round water availability for agriculture and domestic use.

04

Youth Skills & Employment

Provide market-linked vocational training to 200,000 rural youth, achieving ≥70% placement rate and creating a pipeline of skilled workers for industry and entrepreneurship.

05

Education & Digital Access

Ensure continuous learning pathways for 150,000 children and youth through remedial education, scholarships, digital literacy, and bridge school programs in low-literacy geographies.

06

Financial Inclusion & Social Protection

Connect 1 million households to formal financial services, government welfare schemes, and insurance products to build economic resilience against shocks and vulnerabilities.

Legal Compliance

Government Registrations & Certifications

MITRA Foundation maintains full statutory compliance with all relevant Indian laws and regulations, ensuring complete transparency and accountability.

Registrar of Societies / Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra

Law & Judiciary Department, Government of Maharashtra

Registration Type Society Registration Act – 1860

Registration No. MAH/780/13, Solapur (MS)

Date of Incorporation 31 October 2013

Registered State Maharashtra

Active & Compliant

Charity Commissioner, Maharashtra

Law & Judiciary Department, Government of Maharashtra

Registration Type Bombay Public Trust Act-1950

Registration Number F-25212 Solapur (MS)

Date of Incorporation 05 February 2014

Registered State Maharashtra

Active & Compliant

Income Tax Department

Income Tax Act, 1961

12A Registration 258/29/2017-18/5055

80G Certificate 465/2018-19/3011

PAN Number AADTM8573H

Donor Tax Benefit 50% of Donated Amount

Valid & Active

NITI Aayog

NGO Darpan Portal

Unique ID MH/2005/0123456

Registered Since January 2015

Category Rural Development / Agriculture

Last Updated April 2025

Verified & Active

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

CSR Registration (Schedule VII)

CSR Registration No. CSR00012345

Eligible CSR Activities Schedule VII — Items (i),(ii),(iv),(x)

Mode of Engagement Implementation Agency

Annual CSR Portfolio Rs 45 Crore+ (2024–25)

Registered & Compliant

State Government

Maharashtra Societies Registration Act

Registration No. MAH-2005-12345-NGO

Registered Office Pune, Maharashtra

GST Registration 27AABCM1234D1ZX

Audit Status CA Audited (FY 2024–25)

Active & Audited

All registration numbers shown are illustrative. Official documents available upon request for verified CSR / funding partners.

Key Milestones

Our Journey Through Time

2005

Foundation Established

MITRA Foundation incorporated as a Section 8 company in Pune, Maharashtra. First agriculture extension pilot reaches 1,200 farmers in Osmanabad district.

2007

SHG Programme Launched

Women Self Help Group mobilisation begins across 3 districts. First batch of 500 SHGs formed; Rs 2 crore credit linked to rural women for the first time.

2008

NABARD Watershed Partnership

Landmark Rs 12 crore grant from NABARD to implement watershed development across Marathwada. First 50 check dams constructed; groundwater levels rise in 120 villages.

2011

NRLM Implementation Agency

Selected as State Rural Livelihoods Mission partner in Maharashtra. MITRA manages SHG federations for 3 districts; 10,000 SHGs linked to bank credit under NRLM.

2014

CSR Mandate — National Scale-Up

Companies Act 2013 CSR mandate opens opportunities with top Indian corporates. MITRA registered as CSR Implementation Agency; first partnerships with Tata Trusts and HDFC Bank Parivartan.

2016

International Collaboration

Partnership signed with GIZ (Germany), UNICEF India, and World Bank for integrated rural development programs. Operations expand to 10 states including Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

2019

FPO & AgriTech Initiative

50 Farmer Producer Organisations established across 8 states. MITRA launches its first mobile crop advisory app reaching 80,000 farmers. Rs 200 crore+ collective agri-sales achieved through FPO channels.

2020

COVID-19 Relief & Recovery

MITRA pivots rapidly to COVID relief — providing food kits to 500,000 vulnerable families, facilitating digital banking for 200,000 women, and running mental health helplines across 8 states.

2025

20 Years — 2 Million Lives

MITRA celebrates its 20th anniversary with operations in 18 states, 128 districts, 6,500+ villages. National CSR Award 2025 conferred by Ministry of Corporate Affairs. 2 million beneficiaries and counting.

About MITRA Foundation