What Lambs Farm does

Lambs Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1961 by Bob Terese and Corinne Owen, headquartered on a 72-acre campus in Libertyville, Illinois. It provides residential, vocational, and recreational services to adults with developmental disabilities, serving participants through an integrated model that combines nine on-campus group homes, Green-Field Residence, 16-unit Stone Apartments for independent living, and five community houses in Libertyville. The organization employs 251-500 staff across clinical, residential, programmatic, and operational roles under President & CEO Kathy Buresch, who assumed the role in 2022.

The organization's service portfolio spans three core program areas (Living, Working, and Learning), plus the recently approved Specialty Care Center, a State of Illinois-approved Behavioral Health Clinic launched in 2025 that delivers on-campus mental health and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services. Working programs include on-campus employment at six retail businesses (Farmyard, Magnolia Cafe & Bakery, Sugar Maple Country Store & Bakery, Cedar Chest Thrift Shop, Dogwood Garden & Pet Center, Greenhouse), Lambs Industries light manufacturing/assembly services, LF Studios art program, Quest enrichment classes, and community-supported employment placements with partners including Jewel-Osco, Lowe's, Trader Joe's, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, Sedgebrook, Tamarisk NorthShore, and Badger Press.

Lambs Farm's revenue model blends state funding (Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities for designated CLF/CILA services), individual and corporate donations (including planned giving and vehicle donations via Auto Parts City), retail and e-commerce sales (nationwide shipping via lambsfarm.org), corporate gift and wholesale programs (handled by Sales Manager Robbie Bock with custom logo and private-label capabilities), special events fundraising (Celebrating the Spirit Gala, 41st Annual Golf Day), and farmyard sponsorships. No proprietary technology platform is central to the business; the value proposition rests on the integrated campus ecosystem, state regulatory designations, 60+ years of operating history, and a diversified mix of earned, contributed, and government revenue streams.

Name

Lambs Farm

Legal name

Lambs Farm

Website

https://lambsfarm.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Lambs Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1961 that provides residential, vocational, and recreational programs for adults with developmental disabilities on a 72-acre campus in Libertyville, Illinois, funded through state appropriations, retail businesses, donations, and corporate gifts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Libertyville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, Lambs Farm receives funding from individual donors, corporate and foundation supporters. Donations support programs not covered by state funding including recreation and transportation services.
2. State of Illinois Funding: Lambs Farm receives partial funding from the State of Illinois for some services through the Department of Human Services Division of Developmental Disabilities.
3. Retail Business Revenue: On-campus retail businesses including Magnolia Cafe & Bakery, Sugar Maple Country Store & Bakery, Cedar Chest Thrift Shop, Dogwood Garden & Pet Center, Greenhouse, and Farmyard generate revenue through direct consumer sales.
4. Corporate Gift and Wholesale Orders: Corporate gift giving programs, private label, co-packing, and wholesale production with complete manufacturing and packaging facility. Sales Manager Robbie Bock handles corporate orders.
5. Planned Giving and Vehicle Donations: Deferred gifts through wills, trusts, retirement plan beneficiaries; vehicle donations through partnership with Auto Parts City; stock donations; matching gifts programs.
6. Special Events Fundraising: Annual events including Celebrating the Spirit Gala, 41st Annual Lambs Farm Golf Day, and other fundraising events throughout the year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Lambs Farm is a nonprofit organization that provides residential, vocational, and enrichment services for adults with developmental disabilities. Participants live on campus or in community homes, work at on-site businesses, and access day-program and life-skills support. The organization supplements program funding through participant-staffed retail operations including a thrift store, bakery, pet shop, and garden center.

Product overview

Lambs Farm is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing residential, employment, and enrichment services for adults with developmental disabilities. Founded in 1961, it operates a diverse portfolio of businesses including the Farmyard (animal sanctuary), Magnolia Cafe & Bakery, Sugar Maple Country Store & Bakery, Cedar Chest Thrift Shop, Dogwood Garden & Pet Center, and Greenhouse. The organization offers art programs (LF Studios, Quest), industrial services (Lambs Industries), and healthcare services (Specialty Care Center). Its residential programs include campus group homes, community residences, and specialty care facilities. Participants engage in employment through on-campus businesses and community job placements. Additional services include Special Olympics athletics, transportation, nutrition services, and event hosting for corporate and private events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Magnolia Cafe & Bakery: Restaurant and bakery on campus offering homemade meals, coffee, and catering services.
• Sugar Maple Country Store & Bakery
• Cedar Chest Thrift Shop
• Dogwood Garden & Pet Center
• Greenhouse
• LF Studios
• Quest
• Lambs Industries
• Specialty Care Center

Products and services

• Residential Services On-campus and community-based housing and supported living for adults with developmental disabilities, providing 24-hour care, life-skills support, and daily supervision.
• Supported Employment and Vocational Training Job training, coaching, and supported employment placements for adults with developmental disabilities, including work in on-campus retail businesses and external partner sites.
• Day and Enrichment Programs Day services, recreational activities, and life-skills enrichment for adults with developmental disabilities who live on or off campus.
• Thrift Store On-campus thrift store that sells donated and secondhand goods to the public while functioning as a vocational training site for participants.
• Bakery On-campus bakery producing baked goods for retail sale and catering orders, used as a supported employment site for participants.
• Pet Shop On-campus pet shop selling pet supplies and feeding birds, used as a supported employment and customer-service training environment.
• Garden Center On-campus garden center selling plants, flowers, and seasonal items, serving as a vocational training and retail site.
• Corporate Gifting and Catering Bulk and customized gift and catering orders fulfilled through the bakery, garden center, and other campus businesses for corporate and event clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60+ years of continuous operation serving adults with developmental disabilities
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Swiss Mountain CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Swiss Mountain Coffee to create the Lambs Farm medium dark roast coffee blend. Participants learn job skills including teamwork, weighing, packing, sealing, and labeling each bag. Coffee sold at Magnolia Cafe and for retail purchase.
• Packed with PurposeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSpecialty gifting company with social mission. Partnership enables fulfillment of corporate gift orders and contributed to record-breaking sales through collaborative efforts.
• State of Illinois - Department of Human ServicescoreOthersState agency that regulates and partially funds Lambs Farm services. Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) designates Community Living Facilities (CLFs) and Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). Approved Lambs Farm Specialty Care Center as Behavioral Health Clinic.
• Pace Suburban BusminorOthersTransportation partner providing Pace Vehicle Program for public transportation to and from Lambs Farm location. Vehicles available for campus accessibility. Call 847-228-2456 for vanpool information.
• Auto Parts CityminorOthersVehicle donation program partner. Handles free towing of donated vehicles. Recycles vehicles not meeting Lambs Farm needs or fixes and sells them. Donors may be eligible for tax deductions based on fair market value or sales price.
• ACE Hardware LibertyvilleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partner selling Lambs Farm products including baked goods and chocolates.
• Sunset FoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional grocery chain with locations in Lake Forest, Libertyville & Long Grove stocking Lambs Farm products.
• Cardinal Cushing CentersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMassachusetts-based organization (Hanover) selling Lambs Farm products. Partnership extends reach to New England region.
• Northeast ArcminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMassachusetts-based organization (Danvers) serving people with developmental disabilities, selling Lambs Farm products.
• The ArcminorOthersNational advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lambs Farm holds affiliation.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AHRC New York City: Nonprofit providing programs and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including residential, employment, and day habilitation. Comparable in integrated service portfolio and employment-focused revenue lines.
• Cardinal Cushing Centers: Massachusetts-based nonprofit serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day, and vocational programs. Already a retail distribution partner for Lambs Farm products and directly comparable in mission and service model.
• Bancroft: Nonprofit serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, vocational, behavioral, and therapeutic programs. Comparable in operating model combining residential, day, and employment services.
• Melmark: Nonprofit provider of residential, educational, vocational, and clinical services for children and adults with autism and developmental disabilities. Comparable in integrated campus model, ABA services, and residential programming.
• Chimes: Nonprofit providing services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities including residential, vocational, behavioral health, and community supports. Comparable in multi-state residential and employment service operations.
• The Arc: National advocacy and service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with which Lambs Farm holds formal affiliation. Comparable in mission, advocacy focus, and direct service provision including employment and residential programs.
• Community Options: Nonprofit providing housing, employment, and recreational supports to people with disabilities. Comparable in residential group homes, supported employment, and community-based day services.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment, residential, and therapeutic programs for people with disabilities and special needs. Comparable as a similarly mission-driven nonprofit serving overlapping participant populations across multiple states.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Large national nonprofit operating employment and training programs for people with barriers to employment, including disabilities. Comparable in the employment-services and thrift-retail revenue model that cross-subsidizes mission programs.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities through federal contracts and AbilityOne program. Comparable in mission alignment and light-industrial/assembly work placements similar to Lambs Industries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lambsfarm
• Facebookfacebook.com/LambsFarm
• Instagraminstagram.com/lambsfarm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Lambs Farm