WFI was officially incorporated on July 19, 1979. The original Articles of Incorporation state the purpose is "to provide a center for the exchange of information and ideas between the various National Associations."

The Founding Documents further state: "The Association shall have the common purpose of assisting and furthering the organization and promotion of investment education associations in all the countries of the world; to further the cause of wider share-ownership and to advance investment education on a worldwide scale for the betterment of individuals, families, and nations through an international exchange of investment and economic knowledge and the mutual exchange of information and assistance between the member-countries and between individuals and groups in each such country.