Owner and operator of the Literature House is the "Foundation Book, Media and Literature House Munich," created in 1993 by the state capital of Munich and the city's publishers and booksellers. The self-fun nature of the foundation guarentees the independence of the institution and makes effective management possible.

Private donors provide the foundation with a yearly sum of 50,000 Euros, and the City of Munich itself offers both the use of the building at Salvatorplatz 1 and a yearly subsidy in the amount of 375,000 Euros. City and founders are equally represented. According the foundation code, crucial decisions regarding the House are not to be made without the input of both parties. The City of Munich functions therefore as a decisive and effective partner to the foundation. The main obstacle overcome by the sponsors and founders was the financing of the renovation efforts. Munich's publishers, booksellers, and other donors lended their support of 3 Million Euros, the City of Munich contributed 7 Million Euros.

The foundation serves as lessor to the various organizations that are housed in the building.
It has the following revenues available to finance its programs and the running of the house:

• Rent monies from the cafe and the other institutions (long- term);
  
• Rent from event planners (short-term) and revenues from it's own events;
  
• Donations, Sponsors, Contributions from a Circle of Friends, and other private support;
  
• Support from the City of Munich's cultural affairs office and other public supporters

The Foundation organizes the exhibit hall and the event rooms in the first and third floors with these financial means. It offers its programs independently or with the cooperation of partners who are financially involved.