Donations from the public or formal religious institutions are just one revenue source. Often they where effectively self sufficient gathering revenue from farming, winemaking, baking etc. My point was outlays need to be less than revenue for the institutions to survive long term.

The downfall of the self sufficient commune movement is it frequently resulted in poverty. The example I am referring to had well paid professionals including doctors etc who saved money by joining. Low rent including utilities, food, appliances, and household supplies allowed members to travel and party more. In effect a collage fraternity without the collage rather than a monastery without a religion.