The foundation Stiftung Schlesisches Museum zu Görlitz is a foundation under civil law, established in 1996.  The purpose of the foundation is to establish and to run a museum, supposed to develop into a central institution researching the cultural history of Silesia in Germany as well as collecting and presenting material cultural assets. The museum is meant to introduce the past and the presence of the cultural region of Silesia and to build understanding between Germany, Poland and Czechia.

The foundation immediately serves non-profit purposes only, in accordance with the paragraph on “tax-deductible purposes” of the tax code.

The founders are the Federal Republic of Germany, the Free State of Saxony, the City of Görlitz and the Landsmannschaft Schlesien (the association of Silesian compatriots). Institutional support to the Silesian Museum is provided by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Free State of Saxony.

The bodies of the foundation are the foundation board and the managing board. There is a scientific advisory board assisting the foundation board.