The Association is run as a “democratic co-operative.” All the member artists have a voice in how it is run and it is owned by all of them. The management procedures are governed by the statutes, which require that a delegates convention be held at least once every three years. Delegates are chosen to represent Association members, who vote through postal ballot based on their region. The Association divides the world into four regions, each region appoints at least one delegate for every five members.

The delegate’s convention is ultimately responsible for control of all the Association’s activities. The delegates also pass necessary resolutions, amend statutes and approve annual accounts and budgets. With the exception of their legal consultant, all members of the delegate’s convention are disabled artists. The delegates appoint a managing board, comprised of member artists with a maximum of seven people. The managing board appoints able-bodied professionals to run the publishing houses, which manage the direct mail operations of the organization. The president of the managing board is also the president of the Association and must be a mouth or foot painting artist who has won recognition as an artist and achieved success in international exhibitions.

The Board of the association consists of seven mouth and foot painting artists, including the President and the Vice President. These must be full members of the Association. The board is completed by the Legal Advisor of the association.

The artists mainly benefit from the financial objectives of the Association. Scholarship holders receive a scholarship which is to help them improve their standard of painting by providing funds for materials, tuition etc. This increases the change of being promoted to Associate Member. As a student improves, the scholarship is increased. If a scholarship holder meets the requirements of the association, he /she/ they will be proposed for associate membership.This means that the member will receive a monthly income for life regardless of whether increasing disability makes it impossible for him or her to continue providing pictures that the Association can market. This removes the greatest anxiety to haunt the handicapped artist – the fear of losing one’s ability to paint through deteriorating health as the cost of independence for the disabled is high. The Association offers members and students the opportunity to gather, correspond and learn from each other. Members and students are able to meet at the many conferences, exhibitions and other events, and firm friendships. According to the most recent audit report of 2019 over 86% of VDMFK‘s consolidated revenues were spent on artist expenses.

The Association supports emerging mouth and foot painting artists through scholarships. These are available to artists anywhere in the world who, due to illness or disability, are unable to paint with their hands and instead work using their mouth or feet. Artists using other methods or aids are not eligible. Scholarships are awarded by the Managing Board for an initial period of three years. Recipients receive a monthly payment, the amount of which is determined based on their artistic development. Scholarships are intended to support artistic growth, including tuition, materials and study, rather than general living expenses. Receiving a scholarship does not automatically lead to membership.

Members and Associate Members receive ongoing financial support, allowing them to focus on their artistic development and maintain a degree of financial independence. In return, artists assign the reproduction rights of their work to the Association. Selected artworks are reproduced and distributed globally as prints, cards and other products, and exhibitions are held internationally to showcase their work. Membership is by invitation only and is considered following a period as a scholarship holder. Artists are assessed on their development and must meet the high artistic standards expected of the Association.