About Us
Twenty-five years of one idea: local people are the best stewards of local development.
From one farmer’s frustration to a movement
Shri Nataraj grew up farming rainfed land in Mulbagal Block, Kolar District, a region where seasonal debt, poor market access and almost no formal credit kept families locked in place. In 2001 he began organising neighbours into small savings circles.
What started as fifty informal groups has grown into Jeevan Mithra Social Service Society (JMSSS): a network of 15,000 women’s self-help groups, 400 youth groups and 120 farmer groups spread across 350 villages in 30 districts of Karnataka.
JMSSS is today headquartered in Bengaluru with 12 regional offices, and is ranked among the top five micro-credit institutions in the state, with a 99.9% loan repayment rate.
What we believe
Local leadership
We build community-managed institutions rather than dependency on outside staff, so progress outlasts any single project.
Financial integrity
A dedicated team of chartered accountants, advanced MIS software and real-time monitoring keep every rupee accountable.
Gender justice
Women’s economic participation is treated as central to development, not an add-on programme.
Governed like an institution, run like a community
JMSSS operates through a professional team spanning banking, rural development and gender justice, working alongside elected group leaders in every village we serve.
15,000+
Women’s SHGs
400
Youth groups
120
Farmer groups
12
Regional offices
Our Institutional Partners
Want to partner with us?
Banks, government bodies and fellow NGOs work with JMSSS on outreach, credit and training programmes across Karnataka.