We believe women are entrepreneurs, change makers and leaders.
Shakti Foundation was established by Humaira Islam, Ph.D., and a group of social innovators committed to the socio-economic empowerment of disadvantaged women through social and financial inclusion. Founded in 1992 as a non-governmental organization, our goal is to alleviate poverty and stabilize social security for underprivileged women across the country.
Shakti initially launched a pilot microfinance program to provide small loans for income generation purpose to slum dwelling women in Dhaka. The program’s success led to similar microfinance programs in slums of other cities as well as rural areas across the nation. From there on our ambitions only grew. Shakti Foundation strongly believes in women’s potential to become decision-makers, leaders, and agents of change in their communities. Through its multiple programs, Shakti has set up branches across 55 districts in Bangladesh and provides services to over 424,318 members.
Shakti Foundation is registered with the NGO Affairs Bureau Bangladesh under The Foreign Donations Regulations Rules 1978 and the Register of Joint Stock Company Ltd. under the Society Act 1860. Shakti Foundation has also received certifications through the Microcredit Regulatory Authority Act in 2007 to run its microcredit program.
Our Mission
Shakti Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of poor women by creating strong economic and social resource bases.
ETHICS
Inculcating the highest standards of transparency, integrity and accountability in our practices and founding vision of service
EXCELLENCE
Going beyond class, religion, ethnicity, culture and politics to meet the needs of our clients
EMPOWERMENT
Breaking barriers and building resilience through community-based interventions