Kids Unlimited of Oregon

What Kids Unlimited of Oregon does

Kids Unlimited of Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization founded in 1998 in Medford, Oregon, by CEO Tom Cole. It began as a grassroots afterschool program at a low-income elementary school with 50 participants and has grown into the region's largest youth development organization, serving more than 1,200 children annually. Its core operating entity, Kids Unlimited Academy (KUA), is a public charter school currently structured for pre-K through 5th grade across two campuses (Medford headquarters and White City, added in 2020), following a 2023-2024 strategic phaseout of middle school grades. KUA operates 10-hour structured school days with 30% more instructional time than local district schools and embeds enrichment in arts, music, culinary, and sports.

The organization runs a multi-component portfolio beyond the charter school: afterschool enrichment at nine high-poverty elementary schools, summer camps at multiple sites, a food program that served 238,592 meals to families and the community, the Royal Kids Theatre company, the Southern Oregon Open basketball tournament (the region's largest sporting event), the Pastabilities Unlimited culinary and social-entrepreneurship program, and the Hope for the Holidays annual campaign. Programs are offered primarily free or at minimal cost ($50 developmental basketball league, $8 theatre tickets), with scholarships available.

Kids Unlimited is funded primarily through government and foundation grants, private donations (including recurring monthly giving and the Hope for the Holidays campaign), and business sponsorships (T-Mobile, UScellular, Lithia Motors, local food/beverage partners). The organization is governed by a board chaired by Rocio Mendoza, with no parent company or private equity ownership. It is not a technology organization — its core delivery model is direct human service through schools, campuses, and community facilities in Southern Oregon.

Name

Kids Unlimited of Oregon

Legal name

Kids Unlimited of Oregon

Website

https://kuoregon.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kids Unlimited of Oregon is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization operating a public charter school, afterschool programs at nine high-poverty elementary schools, summer camps, food services, and enrichment programs for primarily Latino, low-income children and families in Southern Oregon.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Education Services

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Full-Day Nursery Programs (EDACACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Part-Time / Drop-In Preschools (EDACABAN)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Charter school education
• Afterschool enrichment services
• Community youth nonprofit
• Child nutrition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Medford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Government and Foundation Grants: Primary funding from government grants and foundation funding to support youth development programs, charter school operations, and food programs.
2. Private Donations: Individual donor contributions including recurring monthly donations and one-time holiday campaign donations (Hope for the Holidays).
3. Business Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships from local businesses including T-Mobile, UScellular, and others for programs and events.
4. Program Fees: Modest fees for specific programs such as basketball leagues ($50) and theater productions ($8 admission), with scholarships available to ensure access for all families.
5. Community Partnerships: Collaborative relationships with community organizations that provide in-kind support, volunteer hours, and resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kids Unlimited of Oregon is a nonprofit youth development organization that operates a public charter school (Kids Unlimited Academy) along with afterschool programs, summer camps, a scratch-cooked food program, a youth theater company, a culinary/entrepreneurial program (Pastabilities Unlimited), and a basketball tournament in Southern Oregon. The organization serves primarily children from low-income and Latino families in the Medford and White City, Oregon region, providing extended instructional time, enrichment in arts/music/sports, meals, and wraparound family support services.

Product overview

Kids Unlimited of Oregon operates a multi-component youth development ecosystem centered around its public charter school (Kids Unlimited Academy/KUA) supplemented by enrichment programs. The core portfolio includes: Kids Unlimited Academy (year-round charter school K-8), After School Programs at eight elementary schools, Summer Camp, Food Program, Royal Kids Theatre performing arts company, Southern Oregon Open basketball tournament, Hope for the Holidays donation initiative, Pastabilities Unlimited culinary program, and Pre-K services across Medford and White City campuses. The organization provides approximately 788 children in afterschool programs and camps, 462 graduates in transition programs, and has served nearly 238,000 meals to families and the community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KU Academy: The year-round public charter school component of Kids Unlimited providing extended instructional time and enrichment programs.
• Royal Kids Theatre
• Hope for the Holidays
• Southern Oregon Open

Products and services

• Kids Unlimited Academy (KUA) A year-round public charter school serving pre-K through 8th grade (currently refocusing on K-5), providing 30% more instructional time than local district schools with 10-hour structured school days and embedded enrichments in arts, music, culinary, and sports.
• After School Program Afterschool enrichment programs at nine of the highest-poverty elementary schools in Southern Oregon, offering math and reading assistance supplementing students' regular school day with 20% more instruction.
• Summer Camp Summer enrichment camp operating at multiple locations including Kids Unlimited Academy, Oak Grove, and Howard Elementary, offering educational enrichment activities, field trips, and supervised recreation.
• Food Program Provides thousands of meals daily, all cooked from scratch, often incorporating locally sourced produce and proteins, serving KU families and the community (238,592 meals served historically).
• Royal Kids Theatre Theater company producing musical performances for students and the community at the Kimmel Performing Arts Center, including productions such as 'Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka Jr.', 'Freaky Friday: The Musical', and 'The Big One-Oh! Jr.'
• Southern Oregon Open Basketball Tournament Annual fundraising basketball tournament and the region's largest sporting event, hosting nearly 200 basketball teams and generating significant local tourism revenue.
• Hope for the Holidays Annual campaign supporting vulnerable children and families with food, clothing, and gifts during the holiday season, including the Whoville celebration serving more than 1,100 children and parents.
• Pastabilities Unlimited Youth culinary and entrepreneurial program producing fresh pasta, developing students' cooking and job skills through production and sales.
• Pre-K Program High-quality preschool and child care for Southern Oregon's highest poverty families, with focus on kindergarten readiness, socio-emotional development, and hands-on active learning, available at both Medford and White City campuses.
• Basketball Developmental League 6-week developmental basketball league for 2nd-5th grade participants, including league T-shirt and team jersey, with scholarships available.
• St. Mary's School Scholarship Pathway Scholarship pathway providing full tuition scholarships to St. Mary's School for KUA 8th graders, covering academic fees, sports fees, textbooks, daily lunch, and a Google Chromebook.

Quantifiable outcome

• 788 children participating in afterschool programs and camps
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• St. Mary's SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Scholarship partnership providing full scholarships for KUA students to attend St. Mary's through middle and high school. Partnership began over a decade ago when St. Mary's students volunteered to mentor at-risk KUA students. Recipients receive full tuition including academic fees, sports fees, textbooks, daily lunch, and a Google Chromebook. Has served 12+ KUA students. Most recent recipients: Jionnie Casillas and Valentina Mejia-Medina (2026).
• Southern Oregon Head StartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for early childhood education services. The younger children of KUA families attend Head Start while parents work.
• Medford School District 549CcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with local school district. KUA afterschool programs operate at district elementary schools. KUA aligning with district's new middle school structure for grade 6.
• Eagle Point School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKUA White City campus serves students in the Eagle Point school district, as well as transfers. Partnership addresses local shortage of quality pre-K programs.
• UScellularminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing holiday donations including warm clothing, blankets, and other items for KUA families during Hope for the Holidays campaign.
• Chef Ron DupratminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCelebrity chef who attended KU's 25th anniversary banquet. Has cooked for celebrities and President Obama. Affiliated with No Kid Hungry and World Central Kitchen. Supports KU's food program and culinary education.
• Lithia MotorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal sponsor for Southern Oregon Open basketball tournament.
• Kyle Singler (EJ Singler)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional basketball player who designed Southern Oregon Open as his high school senior project in 2007. Tournament has grown to region's largest sporting event. Kyle went on to lead Duke to NCAA title and played 7 seasons in NBA.
• Fry Family FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated organic mixed greens for KU's 25th anniversary banquet.
• Rogue CreameryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal food partner donating blue cheese for KU's 25th anniversary banquet.
• Red Lily VineyardsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal winery providing wines for KU's 25th anniversary banquet.
• 10 Barrel BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal brewery providing beer for KU's 25th anniversary banquet.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• 4-H (National 4-H Council): National youth development organization delivering enrichment programming (STEM, agriculture, leadership, civic engagement) to children including underserved communities. Comparable mission of youth enrichment and development via community-based delivery, though more STEM/agricultural focus.
• KIPP Foundation: National charter school network serving predominantly low-income and historically underserved K-12 students with extended instructional time and enrichment. Most directly comparable to Kids Unlimited Academy (KUA) as a charter operator with an extended-day, high-support model for high-poverty communities.
• No Kid Hungry (Share Our Strength): National campaign to end childhood hunger by connecting kids to effective nutrition programs. Highly comparable to KU's 238,592-meals food program; celebrity chef Ron Duprat affiliated with both No Kid Hungry and Kids Unlimited, evidencing operational connection.
• Police Athletic League (PAL): National youth development nonprofit offering athletics, education, and enrichment programs to underserved youth. Comparable in combining sports (basketball tournament), enrichment (theatre, culinary), and academic support for low-income children at community scale.
• After-School All-Stars: National nonprofit providing comprehensive afterschool programs at high-poverty schools, including academic support, enrichment, and sports. Directly comparable to KU's 9-site afterschool program model at the highest-poverty elementary schools in Southern Oregon.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth mentoring nonprofit pairing adult mentors with youth, primarily from single-parent or low-income households. Comparable in targeting at-risk youth for long-term developmental outcomes via community partnerships, though focused on 1:1 mentoring rather than school operations.

Regional players

• United Way of Jackson County: Local United Way affiliate serving Jackson County, Oregon (same geography as KU). Comparable as a regional funder/convener of youth and family services, and a likely collaborator or grantor to KU's programs in Southern Oregon.

Emerging players

• City Year: National education nonprofit deploying near-peer mentors in high-poverty schools to improve attendance, behavior, and course performance. Comparable in serving high-poverty school communities with academic support and wraparound services, but uses AmeriCorps members rather than operating schools.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of the USA: National nonprofit operating youth development, childcare, summer camps, and afterschool programs across communities. Comparable in delivering multi-program youth services (childcare, camps, enrichment, sports) at local community scale with a fee-based plus-subsidy model.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth development organization providing afterschool programs, mentoring, and educational support to children from low-income families. Comparable in mission to serve high-poverty youth with wraparound services, though operates through a federated chapter model rather than integrated charter school.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KidsUnlimitedofOregon
• Xx.com/KidsUnlimited98
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-unlimited-of-oregon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries6 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 Kids Unlimited of Oregon