Back to Godhead (BTG) was founded by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1944, as an English-language magazine meant to offer spiritual solutions to complex problems facing humanity at large. In the beginning, before he came to the U.S.A., Prabhupada was often BTG's sole writer, editor, and publisher. After 1966, he handed over the responsibility to his disciples and followers, who continue to publish the magazine today. 
Prabhupada listed six purposes of Back to Godhead Magazine:
1. To help all people discern reality from illusion, spirit from matter, the eternal from the temporary.
2. To expose the faults of materialism.
3. To offer guidance in the Vedic techniques of spiritual life.
4. To preserve and spread the Vedic culture.
5. To celebrate the chanting of the holy names of God as taught by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
6. To help every living being remember and serve Shri Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.