[2] The DFK was founded in Kassel on 6 November 1949 as the umbrella organization for the then three allied occupied zones in Germany (British, French and American).
In 1953, the DFK awarded an honorary membership to one of the pioneers of the Freikörperkultur (FKK) movement, Richard Ungewitter, despite the allegations of eugenics and anti-Semitic activities that had been made against him.
After a personal discussion between the associations on 18 August 2007, the DFK remains one of the major net contributors to the INF.
By far the most extensive collection on the historical and current situation of the Freikörperkultur (free body culture), the "International Naturist Library" (formerly the Damm - Baunatal Collection), is located in the Lower Saxony Institute for Sport History [de] in Hanover, Germany.
In addition to the association's president, the Presidium includes a vice-president and one each for sport and finance, as well as a federal chairperson of the FKK-Youth.