Fr Joaquim Barranco, S.J., the first Director of Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal, played a pioneering role in shaping this charity NGO dedicated to rural and tribal development. Working with the Jesuits of the Bombay Province and progressive community leaders, he helped establish the organisation in 1964 to address poverty, migration, and livelihood challenges faced by small and marginal farmers. Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal in Nashik, Maharashtra, was founded on the belief that sustainable development and community empowerment can create lasting social change.

The mission of this charity is to promote asset-based integrated rural community development through agroecology, education, microfinance, tribal health practices, and life skills among people in the region, covering women's development, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, along with research topics and work focused on natural resource management. Its vision is to enhance the quality of life of small and marginal rural farming communities for self-reliance. Major projects like the Prabodhan Adivasi Forest Food Festival, Farmer Producer Organization Initiative, Women Advance Program, and Adivasi Boardings, along with water-conservation projects and sustainable agriculture programmes. These initiatives continue to be supported by the Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal in Nashik, Maharastra.

This charity partners with NABARD, ICAR-RCER, Jesuit institutions, community organisations, and rural development stakeholders. The NGO also works with government-supported agricultural and livelihood initiatives, including projects assisted by NABARD and the Agriculture Department. The charity has earned a reputation as the pioneer tribal empowerment and sustainable agriculture and rural development service organisation in Maharashtra with over six decades of dedicated public service.