The CARD-MRI Development Institute (CMDI), whose primary function is to serve the internal training needs of CARD MRI, became a self-sustaining, mutually reinforcing institution (MRI) under the CARD umbrella on April 2005, after more than a decade of operating successfully as the CARD Training Center of the CARD NGO. Over the past three years, CMDI has produce skilled men and women required by the projected growth of the other CARD mutually reinforcing institutions especially the  CARD Inc. and CARD Bank. From 150,000 members in 2005, CARD has dramatically increased  its provision of integrated financial and non-financial services to more than 650,000 members and continously expands to reach one million members by the end of 2009. The Projected growth and resulting training needs in addition to CMDI's mission of also extending training to other organizations will continue to drive an intensive period of development and capacity building at CMDI .

CMDI provides an array of practitioner-led training services in a retreat setting that includes on-site lodging, food and recreational activities. The institute serves four rapidly growing target markets: CARD MRI staff, CARD members, external organizations interested in innovative development methodologies, and microfinance practitioners seeking advanced education in applied microfinance.