The CRT began in 1989 at the urging of Camphill families searching for financial security for their villagers. Helen Zipperlen, from Camphill Kimberton Hills, was the first president.

The CRT has a Board of Trustees and an administrator. The Trust Board consists of the representatives from the Camphill Villages, CANA (Camphill Association of North America), the Camphill Foundation, sponsors, and advocacy.

The CRT has nearly 80 individual Trusts, and by steadily growing over the past two decades, those Trusts have today reached a total of over $ 2.5 million. Since its beginning the trusts have funded numerous vacations and trips for the beneficiaries, Bar Mitzvahs, hobby equipment, computers, optional dental work, travel expenses for sibling visits to the beneficiaries, funeral expenses of the beneficiary, alternative therapies, and even a recliner for an older villager.