IFMA was founded in 1980 by a group of people led by David Armstrong of Michigan State University, George Graves of Texas Eastern Transmission Corp. and Charles Hitch of Manufacturer's Bank. It was originally established in Ann Arbor, Michigan as the National Facility Management Association (NFMA), a not-for-profit incorporated association. The name was changed to IFMA in 1982 due to a growing Canadian contingency. As of 2019, IFMA had 24,000 members in more than 100 countries. IFMA is also a member of the Global Facility Management Association (Global FM), a consortium of facility management associations.
International Association for Exposition Management was created in 1928.
School of Facility Management Groningen was created in 2008.
International Association of Universities was created in 1950.
International African Association was created in 1876.
International Association of Scientologists was created in 1984.
International Longshoremen's Association was created in 1892.
International Association of the Congo was created in 1879.
International Reading Association was created in 1956.
International Dyslexia Association was created in 1949.
International Permafrost Association was created in 1983.
International Studies Association was created in 1959.
International Mineralogical Association was created in 1958.