FAQs

Camphill is a world-wide initiative, dedicated to building communities where everyone can find purpose and belonging. The first Camphill community was founded in Aberdeen in 1940 by a group of refugees led by Dr Karl Koenig, an Austrian paediatrician. Inspired by the ideas of Rudolf Steiner, they found their purpose living and working with children with learning disabilities. At a time when people with learning disabilities were excluded from education and many other dimensions of society, Camphill took the opposite approach and created communities where the potential of even profoundly challenged children, was developed.

Today, there are 62 Camphill communities in the UK & Ireland. Not only does Camphill play an important role in the health, social care and educational sectors, it provides homes and communities, meaningful work for a significant number of people, and establishes a mutually fruitful relationship with the local community.

The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland provides financial support in the form of grants and low interest loans, to a diverse range of projects, which enhance and enrich the lives of vulnerable people with learning disabilities and extra support needs in Camphill and associated communities.

The Camphill Foundation helps to enable new initiatives to start, create or improve facilities and develop vital opportunities for creative and fulfilling work.

The Camphill Foundation is a UK based charitable foundation, originally established in 1984 as the Thomas Weihs Trust in honour of Thomas Weihs who was one of the pioneering founding members of the Camphill movement.

The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland is based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Projects and initiatives which are supported by the Foundation are primarily in the UK & Ireland but support has also been provided to Camphill initiatives in parts of Europe and Africa.

You can make donations via PayPal, card payments, cheque or bank transfer.

Please click here for details.

Gifts in Wills play an important role in supporting Camphill and it is an honour for us to receive them. For more information on how to leave a legacy in your Will please contact your solicitor who will be able to guide you through the process and explain the different options available.

Please include our full contact details to ensure your gift reaches us:

Charity Name: The Camphill Foundation

Address: Newton Dee Office, Bieldside, Aberdeen, AB15 9DX, United Kingdom

Registration details: Registered Charity SC013057 | Non-profit Company SC322550

The work done by the directors and trustees of The Camphill Foundation UK & Ireland is done on a voluntary basis meaning that our operating expenses (such as marketing, accommodation and travel expenses are very low). The remaining funds are used solely to benefit Camphill projects and initiatives.

By donating to Camphill via The Camphill Foundation, you are donating to Camphill in the UK and Ireland as a whole and not to a specific community or project.

Some of our beneficiaries can be viewed here.

If you are planning a project which is directly linked with Camphill or is aimed at benefitting Camphill and you think your initiative may qualify for Camphill Foundation support or funding, please contact us for further information and to request an application form.

Grants are currently limited to a maximum value of £20,000 per application.

Low interest loans can be applied for up to the value of £100,000.

Projects and initiatives which are Camphill-based or related directly to Camphill and are located primarily in the UK and Ireland region, are eligible. Priority is given to new initiatives. The application must be on behalf of a registered charity or other non-profit organisation.

Our Trustees help to inform and guide the decision-making process. We are looking for people who have a connection with Camphill and have a background in finance or law. People who can bring fresh ideas to the table and enjoy networking to help us achieve our objectives.

Please contact our Chairperson, Simon Beckett to discuss the role in more detail.

01224 868701 | info@camphillfoundation.com