Sanghamithra Rural Financial Services (SRFS), a microfinance institution founded in India by Aloysius P. Fernandez in July 2004, details the institution’s history, starting with its inception in 1993 as a proposed alternative to existing banking structures and its subsequent development through various phases, including efforts to gain registration as a not-for-profit company and secure financing. The document outlines Sanghamithra’s vision to support sustainable development by granting the poor access to credit, skills, and linkages, often through Self-Help Affinity Groups (SAGs). A significant portion of the text explores the challenges faced in securing non-banking financial company (NBFC) status and funding from institutions like the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and international donors such as the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Furthermore, the source offers a case study on a SAG member, performance indicators, and various loan and appraisal formats used in Sanghamithra’s operations.