A Learned Woman Never
Stands Alone.
Kusum Foundation works toward a straightforward idea , when women have education, health, and dignity, families and communities do better. We support girls' education, Madhubani artisans, community health, and elderly wellbeing in memory of a woman who did exactly this, without fanfare, her entire life.
Not a Monument.
A Continuation.
Kusum Foundation was established in memory of Mrs. Kusum Mishra. She spent her life helping women around her stay educated, supporting families through hard times, and holding Madhubani art close as a living tradition, not a relic.
KMF was not set up to honour her with words. It was set up to carry forward what she actually did in women's education, livelihood through Madhubani art, community health, and healthy ageing. Four areas. Each one something she personally believed in.
Mrs. Kusum Mishra — 1956 – 2008
A non-profit organisation dedicated to women, health, heritage, and dignified ageing.
Mission & Vision
To support women's education, empower traditional artisans, provide accessible community healthcare, and care for senior citizens—building a society where every individual lives with dignity, self-reliance, and purpose.
A society where women are educated and financially independent, where cultural heritage is lived and not just preserved, and where no one grows old without care and recognition.
Four Things We Work On.
Seriously.
01. Women's Education
Girls who want to study should be able to. We work to remove the financial and social barriers that stop them.
- Scholarships for girls
- Educational support and mentoring
- Learning access programmes
02. Madhubani Art & Livelihood
Bihar's most recognised art form is made almost entirely by women who rarely earn fairly from it. We work to change that.
- Livelihood opportunities for women artisans
- Market access and entrepreneurship support
- Preservation of Madhubani art as a living tradition
03. Health & Wellness
Preventive health awareness is still limited in many communities. We bring basic health access closer to the people who need it.
- Medical camps and screenings
- Health awareness programmes
- Wellness and mindfulness workshops
04. Healthy Ageing
Getting old should not mean becoming invisible. We work toward elderly wellbeing and proper caregiver support.
- Elderly wellbeing programmes
- Caregiver support initiatives
- Advocacy for dignified ageing
A Life That Gave This Foundation
Its Direction
Mrs. Kusum Mishra was born in 1956. She grew up in a time when educating daughters was still considered secondary, and she disagreed with that idea practically and consistently throughout her life.
She remained curious, embraced learning, and supported women and families around her in ways that were quiet, meaningful, and deeply impactful.
“She didn't speak about empowerment. She just never stopped practising it.”
Education First
She believed no woman should have to stop learning because of circumstance. Education, for her, was not optional.
Love for Madhubani Art
She valued Madhubani art as both cultural heritage and a source of dignity and livelihood for women.
Lifelong Learner
Learning, for Kusum Ji, had no age limit and no finish line.
Dignity in Ageing
She believed communities have a responsibility to care for and respect their elderly.
What We're Building Toward
KMF is currently in its active development phase. The following programmes are being planned and structured for meaningful community impact.
Girls' Scholarship Programme
- Merit and need-based scholarships for girls in Bihar who are at risk of discontinuing their education. Because a girl who stays in school changes more than just her own future.
Madhubani Livelihood Programme
- Connecting women artisans to training, fair market access, and steady income. The art has always been theirs — the earnings should be too.
Community Health Camps
- Free medical camps and preventive screening drives in underserved communities. Basic healthcare shouldn't depend on where you were born.
Wellness & Mindfulness Workshops
- Workshops for women and elderly individuals on mental wellbeing and stress management. Good health is more than the absence of illness.
Elderly Care & Caregiver Support
- Practical support for elderly individuals and the families who care for them. Growing old with dignity takes a whole community.
Three Ways to Be Part of This
Donate
A scholarship can keep a girl in school. A health camp can catch something serious before it becomes critical. A livelihood programme can turn an artisan's skill into financial independence. Your contribution makes any of this possible.
Volunteer
We need doctors, educators, social workers, designers, and people who simply care and show up. If you have time and a skill, there's a place for you here.
CSR Partnership
If your organisation is looking to invest in women's empowerment, cultural preservation, or community health — we'd like to talk. We build partnerships that create impact you can actually trace.
Kusum Ji Didn't Wait for the Right
Moment. Neither Should You.
The girls we want to support, the artisans we want to empower, and the communities we want to serve are waiting today.
If this mission resonates with you, we invite you to become part of the journey.
Every Conversation Has the Potential to Create Change
Behind every programme is a conversation that started somewhere. This could be yours.