What Oasis does

Oasis, formally The Oasis Institute, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1982 and headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that promotes healthy aging among adults aged 50 and above through a portfolio of lifelong learning, health and wellness, technology education, and volunteer engagement programs. The organization operates eight physical Oasis Centers across Albuquerque, Rochester, San Antonio, San Diego, Syracuse (Upstate New York), St. Louis, and Washington D.C. Metro, complemented by Oasis Everywhere, a virtual learning platform launched in 2020 that delivers live Zoom-based courses nationwide regardless of geography or mobility constraints. Sub-brands include Oasis Tutoring (intergenerational one-on-one literacy tutoring for K-3 students, deployed through 109 school districts and 902 schools), Oasis Connections (technology literacy training), Oasis Health Programs (fall prevention, chronic disease management, brain health), and the federally funded Community Care Corps caregiver support program.

The underlying technology stack is operationally lightweight and not proprietary in any AI/ML sense: Zoom for live virtual class delivery, a MyOasis web platform for member registration and account management, online class catalogs, and basic content/distribution websites. There is no disclosed mobile app, no API, and no third-party AI integrations. Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model combining individual donations and monthly recurring gifts, per-class fees set independently by each center (with many programs free or low-cost), federal grants — most notably a five-year agreement with the U.S. Administration for Community Living to lead Community Care Corps, distributing over $7.6 million in its first two years — and foundation grants from Atlantic Philanthropies, RRF Foundation for Aging, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Anthem Foundation, and AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation. Target customer segments are primarily older adults (the principal segment), K-3 students receiving tutoring, caregivers served through Community Care Corps, and low-income older adults served via subsidized programs.

Name

Oasis

Legal name

The Oasis Institute

Website

https://oasisnet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Oasis (The Oasis Institute) is a St. Louis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1982 that serves approximately 587,000 older adults annually across 250 communities through lifelong learning classes, health programs, technology education, volunteer engagement, and intergenerational K-3 literacy tutoring delivered via eight physical centers and a national virtual platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Senior Education and Wellness

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthy Aging & Longevity Lifestyle Coaching (HSADAGAK), Senior & Active Aging Personal Training (HSADAAAI)

Keywords

• Senior lifelong learning
• Older adult education
• Healthy aging programs
• Intergenerational literacy tutoring
• Virtual community classes

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Oasis is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on donor generosity to sustain programs. Donations support lifelong learning, health promotion, and volunteer engagement programs. Monthly giving options provide steady, reliable support.
2. Class Fees: Course fees charged for classes; each center sets class fees independently. Processing fee applied for first class of each new term. Many programs offered free or at affordable rates. Goal is quality programs at affordable prices.
3. Government Grants: Funding from U.S. Administration on Aging, U.S. Administration for Community Living (Community Care Corps), federal grants for preventive health programs.
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from Atlantic Philanthropies, RRF Foundation for Aging, Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Anthem Foundation, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation supporting various programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oasis is a national nonprofit that enriches the lives of older adults through lifelong learning classes, health and exercise programs, technology literacy training (Oasis Connections), and volunteer opportunities delivered via eight physical Oasis Centers and the Oasis Everywhere virtual learning platform. The organization also operates the Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring program, which connects older adult volunteers with K-3 students for one-on-one literacy support in partnership with school districts nationwide.

Product overview

Oasis is a nonprofit organization offering a multi-faceted service portfolio for older adults centered around three pillars: lifelong learning, health and wellness, and volunteer engagement. The core offerings include eight physical Oasis Centers providing in-person classes across cities including Albuquerque, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Rochester, Syracuse, and Washington DC Metro, supplemented by Oasis Everywhere for virtual learning delivery via Zoom. The organization operates a network of programs including Oasis Health Programs for exercise and wellness, Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring for literacy support to K-3 students, and Oasis Connections for technology education. A MyOasis account platform enables member registration, class management, and virtual class access. The organization serves approximately 587,000 older adults annually across 250 communities with 7,600 lifelong learning classes and 3,500 health classes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oasis Connections: Technology literacy training program for older adults
• Oasis Tutoring
• Oasis Health Programs
• Stand Strong, Live Long
• MyOasis

Products and services

• Oasis Centers

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of tutors felt their work positively affected their lives
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Expert presenter at Oasis Fall Prevention Virtual Event; CDC's Injury Center provides subject matter expertise on older adult falls prevention.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Expert presenters at fall prevention events; Kathy Cameron serves as Senior Director of NCOA Center for Healthy Aging.
• Encompass HealthminorOthers · 1 January 2023Sponsor of Oasis Fall Prevention Virtual Event.
• RGA (Reinsurance Group of America)minorOthers · 1 January 2023Sponsor of Oasis Fall Prevention Virtual Event.
• Arthritis FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner organization providing breakout session at fall prevention event.
• Washington University School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Academic partner providing expert presenters for fall prevention and health programs; Dr. Susan Stark from Occupational Therapy department.
• The May Department Stores Company (now Macy's, Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal founding partner; established Oasis centers inside May Company stores and supported initial expansion. Now Macy's, Inc. continues commitment.
• University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partners who collaborated with founder Marylen Mann in 1989 to develop reading and language curriculum for Oasis Tutoring program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AARP: AARP is the largest U.S. membership organization for people 50+, with 38M+ members. It is comparable to Oasis in serving older adults through education, advocacy, and community programs, but operates at vastly greater scale and scope.

Direct peers

• National Council on Aging (NCOA): NCOA is a national nonprofit advocating for older adults through health, economic, and community programs. It is directly comparable to Oasis in mission, federal grant work, and senior services delivery, and has even recognized Oasis with its leadership award.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI): OLLI is a network of 125+ university-affiliated lifelong learning institutes for adults 50+. It competes most directly with Oasis Centers on the lifelong learning pillar, with stronger academic institutional affiliation.
• Road Scholar: Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) provides educational travel and learning programs for older adults. It is comparable to Oasis in targeting the 50+ demographic with structured learning experiences, though delivered through travel rather than local classes.
• SeniorNet: SeniorNet provides technology literacy training for older adults. It directly overlaps with Oasis Connections and addresses the same technology adoption pain point for the 50+ demographic.
• Generations United: Generations United is a national nonprofit focused on intergenerational programs and policies. It is directly comparable to Oasis's Intergenerational Tutoring model and broader mission of connecting older adults and youth.

Emerging players

• GetSetUp: GetSetUp is a venture-backed virtual learning platform specifically designed for older adults. It is a more technology-forward, direct competitor to Oasis Everywhere in the online learning space.
• Elderwise: Elderwise is a smaller nonprofit offering lifelong learning and wellness programs for older adults. It operates in a more limited geography but shares the Oasis model of class-based engagement for the 50+ population.
• Cyber-Seniors: Cyber-Seniors is a nonprofit providing technology training and intergenerational mentorship for older adults. It overlaps with both Oasis Connections and the Oasis Tutoring model, particularly in the digital literacy space.

Regional players

• National Institute of Senior Centers: Operated by NCOA, the National Institute of Senior Centers supports a national network of local senior centers. It is comparable to Oasis in the community center model but represents the broader institutional network Oasis partners with rather than competes against.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/OasisInstitute
• Xx.com/oasisinstitute
• Facebookfacebook.com/OasisInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-oasis-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oasis