People with special needs may spend only a part of their lives in a Camphill community. Each community is an independent organisation, registered as a charity. The property and land are usually owned by a non profit-making company, a registered charity, to which the community pays rent. All the communities are voluntary, charitable organisations whose daily running costs are met in general through individual fees from a variety of central and local government sources. Fee income is sometimes supplemented by income generated from the sale of produce or craft items.
Fund raising is of vital importance to capital development.
In the UK, communities have to register with the local authority in their area. Communities which are registered are required to meet specific standards and are inspected on a regular basis. Communities in the Republic of Ireland are not required to register. You can apply to the community direct. Parents and carers are welcome participants at these meetings.