The Foundation for the promotion and development of hockey (The Hockey Foundation) was established in 1985 as a Swiss Foundation in accordance with Art.80 of the Swiss Civil Code. 

​The purpose of The Hockey Foundation is to promote and develop hockey throughout the world, within the Olympic Movement framework and in liaison with the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

In June 2018, The Hockey Foundation Board appointed its first Executive Director. Shortly after, the Foundation and the FIH agreed to develop a joint global development strategy. Following lengthy consultation and collaboration with the 5 continental federations, Hockey2024 was launched at the FIH Congress in Delhi in November 2018.

Since 2019, the activities of The Hockey Foundation have been attributed to the Inspiration tier of the Hockey2024 strategy, its primary focus being on sustainable social development.