Prince Albert II of Monaco is honorary president of the foundation and Diack had been its president.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) said it had received a letter from the 82-year-old Diack resigning his position with the foundation.
Diack, who stepped down as president of the IAAF in August, last week was placed under formal investigation by French authorities on suspicion of graft and money laundering.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
He is alleged to have received over 1 million euros ($1.09 million) in bribes in 2011 to cover up positive doping tests of Russian athletes, the office of France's financial prosecutor has said.
In addition to its work with the athletics gala, the athletics foundation assists the International Association of Athletics Federations and its member federations in the development and promotion of athletics worldwide.
This year's gala, scheduled for Nov. 28, was cancelled after the investigation of Diack was announced.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
