In its foundation activities, the Fritz Thyssen Foundation bases its actions on the Basic Principles of Foundation Practice of the Association of German Foundations and on the Principles of Good Practice of the European Foundation Centre. It has helped develop the 20 principles of good foundation practice together with the other major German foundations.

The Fritz Thyssen Foundation is a member of the Association of German Foundations, the umbrella organisation representing the interests of foundations. The biggest association of foundations in Europe, it has more than 4,300 members. More than 8,000 foundations are affiliated with it through foundation administrations. The Association of German Foundations thus represents three-fourths of foundation assets valued at EUR 100 billion in Germany. 95 percent of foundations in Germany are non-profit organisations.

The Chairwoman of the Board is Friederike von Bünau, Managing Director of the Stiftung der Evangelischen Kirche in Hessen und Nassau. Her deputy  is Ansgar Wimmer, Chairman of the Board of the Alfred Toepfer Stiftung F. V. S.