In accordance with its founding documents, the J.S. Bach Foundation endeavours to promote cultural life in Eastern Switzerland by supporting institutions and individuals seeking to organise public performances of Johann Sebastian Bach's works with the purpose of providing the public, in particular young people, with a better understanding of the composer's work. In 2011, a second foundation, the International J.S. Bach Foundation of Zurich (whose activities are not limited to a particular region) was founded with its registered office in Zurich.

Performances of Bach's cantatas are relatively rare due to their high operating costs. The works are often very short, yet they call for a complex infrastructure: an orchestra with period instruments, solo vocalists and a choir. Indeed, without substantial funding, performing the cantatas is unthinkable.

In January 2016, the J.S. Bach Foundation commenced a fundamental restructuring of its organisation in order to enhance management efficiency and meet the operative demands of its concert and publishing activities, which have grown continually since 2006. Key steps in the reorganisation were realised in the first quarter of 2017: the operative activities of the Foundation were transferred from the J.S. Bach Foundation to its subsidiary, J.S. Bach St. Gallen AG, to enable the Foundation to focus on financing the performance of the entire vocal oeuvre of Johann Sebastian Bach, in accordance with its statutory aims.

Performing the complete vocal oeuvre of J.S. Bach with our own ensemble and making audio and video recordings of the concerts demands a high level of funding. For this reason, the Foundation must focus on its own goals and is not able to financially support any third-party projects.