As an institution that can make funding commitments for several years, the Foundation for the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK Foundation) is intended to contribute to the increase in education in music, theatre and dance at the HfMDK. With the promotion of endowed and visiting professorships and the expansion of the scholarship programmes, it is intended to meaningfully complement the sponsorship activities of the Friends.

Several supporters of the university established the HfMDK Foundation in autumn 2016. To this end, the founders of the first hour, including the DZ BANK Kulturstiftung, the Deutsche Bank Foundation and private sponsors, have contributed around 1 million euros in seed capital to the new foundation. The university is also a founding benefactor: it is adding the Ina and Gustav Lenzewski Foundation, which has been held in trust to date, and is contributing the bequest of Professor Gisela Sott. The foundation's capital is expected to grow further in the coming years through endowments and bequests.

For the establishment of the foundation, the HfMDK was awarded the German University Fundraising Prize (2nd place) in 2017.