1993-1997

Towards a productive, prosperous and sustainable Bangladesh, in 1993, DISA (Development Initiative for Social Advancement) was established by a group of social thinkers and activists under the overall leadership of its Founder and Chief Executive Md. Shahid Ullah. 

1994 is marked as the year of DISA`s first branch opening for its Microfinance operations aiming to be integral part of contribution for socio-economic development of Bangladesh.  The first Microfinance branch of DISA was established at Barkait, Chandina, Cumilla employing only one part-time staff with a capital money of BDT 10000. Social projects for Health, Sanitation and Arsenic free Water Supply, Education Support Program also commenced at Barkait in the same year.

1998-2002

During these years, DISA opened its second branch in order to meet the increased demand of the program participants. DISA`s Microfinance program reached out to 2 thousands program participants having a savings of BDT. 24 lac where loan outstanding reached at BDT. 39 lac. Besides implementation of Microfinance program, DISA implemented different projects namely: Education Support Program, Adult Education, Non Formal Education, and South Asian Regional Conference on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention.  

2003-2007

Opening of new branches was in the same pace as previous years, members reached out to 12 thousands with a savings of BDT. 2 crore, and loan outstanding reached at BDT. 7 crore. Projects: Aloghar, Skills development Training to Rural Women, Water and Sanitation, Counter Trafficking Intervention in prevention, protection and prosecution for victims in Bangladesh, and Rural Housing were implemented.

2008-2012

Microfinance program operated 15 branches in different districts with 31 thousands members and savings generated at BDT 12 crore, where loan outstanding was BDT.33 crore. Software-based human resource management was started. Projects namely- Climate Change and Agricultural Development, Scholarship, Medical Assistance, Health Program, DISA Technical Training Institute, Handicraft Project, Social Advancement through Knowledge and Technical Intervention, Let Children Speak were also operated.

2013-2017

Growth of DISA`s microfinance programme touched a milestone of its operations in 19 districts by reaching out to 1.15 lac members who have savings of BDT. 70.7 crore, and loan outstanding reached at BDT. 225.4 crore. Software for inventory management was introduced. New projects namely -Dairy and Livestock Development Program, DISA Academy, Aloghar Prakashana, Aloghar Nursery, DISA Institute of Science and Technology, Matribhumi Dairy Foods Limited, Matribhumi Misti, Onuron- scholarship for less privileged students, Local Agricultural Network, Assistance for Rohingua Refugees, Dhaka as Child Friendly City started.

2018-2023

Among others, DISA faced the challenges of COVID 19 pandemic for couple of years. Soon after the COVID 19, DISA`s microfinance program started to come back by recovering the impact made by Covid 19 pandemic on sector as a whole. Members reached at 1.37 lac, savings at BDT. 144.7 crore and loan outstanding at BDT. 324.3 crore. Software- Microfin 360, ERP, Library Management system were introduced along with new initiatives - Covid 19 Response Activities and Water Credit Adoption.