Kashf Foundation (meaning miracle or revelation i.e. a process of self-discovery) began in 1996 as an action research program focusing, for the first two years, on determining and understanding key factors having an impact on the demand for microfinance services by poor women in Pakistan. Inspired by the success of the Grameen Bank, Kashf's mission is to alleviate poverty by providing quality and cost effective microfinance services to low income households, especially women, in order to enhance their economic role and decision-making capacity.

They empower poor women and their families to become economically self reliant by providing financial services in a sustainable manner. They promote economic self-actualisation by providing the poor with continuous economic opportunities so they can realise their potential and overcome barriers of poverty.

It was the first specialized Microfinance institution in Pakistan, targeting only women from low income communities charging a sustainable price for its services. It introduced the pro-women consumption loan in the sector and started offering micro-insurance services by collaborating with one of Pakistan’s oldest insurance companies by 2003. It became financially sustainable in 2004 and obtained an investable credit rating.