The Foundation was established on the occasion of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad's birth centenary celebrations. His eventful life was packed with outstanding achievements in the diverse fields. He was towering figure on the Indian political scene and a scholar rated high in the realms of Urdu Literature.

To this, he added a trend-setting innings as a journalist. But his greatest claim to fame was his contribution as a thinker with a world vision and humanist outlook. A dogged freedom fighter and an un-failing upholder of secular and democratic values. Maulana Azad deserves to be introduced afresh to the modern generation of Indians.

The Foundation is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit making social service organization, established to promote education amongst educationally backward sections of the Society. It is fully funded by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Govt. of India. The Hon'ble Minister of Minority Affairs is Ex-Officio President of the Foundation. It was registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 6th July 1989.

The General Body of the Foundation consists of 15 members out of which six members are ex-officio including the President, MAEF and rest nine members are nominated by the President, MAEF. The management of the Foundation is entrusted with its Governing Body, which consist of six members (including President, MAEF) selected from amongst the members of the General Body.