Farmers working with Kadamba Foundation in Uttara Kannada

25+ years of development

About Kadamba Foundation

A national, impact-driven organisation dedicated to 360-degree integrated community development through a simplified, strategic, and outcome-oriented approach.

Who we are

Field-level action, applied research and policy advisory — working as one

Kadamba Foundation is a national, impact-driven organization dedicated to 360-degree integrated community development through a simplified, strategic, and outcome-oriented approach. Its initiatives extend across India, with focused engagement in Sikkim and the North-Eastern states, addressing regional and national development priorities.

The Foundation actively works in public health research, sustainable livelihoods, education, environmental stewardship, and policy advisory initiatives, supporting evidence-based decision-making and inclusive governance.

Through collaborative programs, field-level implementation, and research-backed interventions, Kadamba Foundation strives to deliver measurable social impact and long-term community resilience.

Our work integrates field-level implementation, applied research, and policy advisory, enabling evidence-based solutions that strengthen communities and institutions for long-term resilience.

1999

Registered as a Public Trust

Our vision

To build inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities through integrated development, scientific rigor, and collaborative governance.

Our mission

01To design and implement holistic development programs that generate measurable social impact.
02To strengthen public systems and community institutions through research, capacity building, and policy support.
03To promote inclusive growth by aligning grassroots action with national development priorities.

Our approach

Our development model is built on four pillars

Integrated Program Design

Linking health, livelihoods, skill training, and environment.

Field-Level Implementation

Community-anchored delivery systems.

Research-Backed Interventions

Data-driven planning and evaluation.

Collaborative Partnerships

Government, academia, industry, and civil society.

Our focus areas

Where we concentrate our effort

Explore Our Work

Public Health & Health Systems Strengthening

Community health programs and preventive care initiatives
Health awareness, screening, and outreach services
Research-driven health interventions and advisory support to public systems

Know More

Sustainable Livelihoods & Rural Development

Farmer-centric programs in horticulture, plantation crops, and diversification
Promotion of sustainable agriculture and best practices
Capacity building, market linkages, and enterprise development

Know More

Research, Policy & Governance Advisory

Conducting applied research and impact studies
Providing policy advisory and technical support to public institutions
Supporting inclusive and accountable governance frameworks

Know More

Environment & Natural Resource Stewardship

Conservation and afforestation programs
Sustainable land and water management
Promotion of eco-friendly practices and climate adaptation

Know More

Skill Trainings & Human Capital Development

Skill development and youth capacity building
Knowledge dissemination through training, workshops, and community learning platforms

Know More

Our journey

25+ Years of Development

Milestones drawn from our registration records and programme history.

1999

Kadamba Foundation is registered

Registered as a Public Trust under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882 on 25 November 1999, and begins working for the socio-economic development of rural women.
Learn more
2000

12(A) & 80(G) recognition; health camps begin

Income-tax registrations follow in August 2000. The first of hundreds of health camps across Uttara Kannada are held.
Learn more
2001–02

India’s first NGO-led mass housing programme

With RGRHCL and Syndicate Bank, Kadamba builds 1,804 homes for BPL women across 65 Gram Panchayats — with 100% loan recovery.
Learn more
2002–03

Micro finance and the health referral bridge

Kadamba enters micro finance through Self Help Groups, and the first patients are referred to KSHEMA, Mangaluru.
Learn more
2003

FCRA registration

Registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act on 17 April 2003.
Learn more
2005

Santwana Kendra opens in Kumta

A family counselling centre and women’s helpline, with the Women & Child Development Department of Karnataka.
Learn more
2009

E-Belaku, agar wood, cocoa and flood relief

Solar lighting launches in February; agar wood is introduced; cocoa intercropping scales to 3.5 lakh plants; and Kadamba reaches 5,000+ people after the monsoon disaster.
Learn more
2010

Sandalwood movement; micro credit handed on

The sandalwood cultivation movement begins. True to its not-for-profit principles, Kadamba reassigns its micro-credit network to The Shalmala Finance Limited.
Learn more
2011

E-Grama is designed

A rural electronic corridor for everyday services — a concept later reflected nationally in Digital India.
Learn more
2013

Lac revival, Betta land conservation, farm-tech

First lac cultivation seminar (June), the Betta Balakedaarara Sangha is formed, and the Farm Machinery Exhibition showcases 118+ technologies (December).
Learn more
Today

A national, impact-driven organisation

Kadamba works across India with focused engagement in Sikkim and the North-Eastern states — spanning public health research, livelihoods, education, environment and policy advisory, and introducing climate-resilient crops like teff.
Learn more

Recognition

LAC Promotion Institutional Award

Kadamba awarded for promoting lac cultivation in Karnataka & Goa

India, once the world’s primary source of lac resin, is reclaiming its place in the global lac market — with Kadamba playing a pivotal role in its revival.

About our lac work

Governance