The Center for Powder Metallurgy Technology was created as a legal entity in April, 1980 and approved as a non-profit tax exempt foundation by the Internal Revenue Service in 1984. It was an indirect result of a United States Department of Commerce effort to establish a series of "cooperative technology Programs" involving several specific technologies. Each was selected by the government as being representative of "growth" technologies capable of enhancing the productivity of America's manufacturing community. Powder metallurgy was one of those singled out as deserving of such support. The demise of the government's program for creating such centers of expertise forced reversion of the concept to private enterprise.

The Center, is recognized as a fully-exempt, not-for-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service authorized under IRS Code 501(C)(3)©. This means that its funds are tax exempt and that all moneys or values contributed to the Center are fully deductible by the donor.

A separate and distinct entity having no legal connection with the Metal Powder Industries Federation, the Center is presently being administered by the staff of the Federation under a contract between the Center and MPIF.