What Kendal At Oberlin does

Kendal at Oberlin is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) operating on a 110+ acre campus in Oberlin, Ohio since 1993, serving approximately 350 residents from 39 states. Its product spans the full senior care continuum — independent living in 48 apartments and 175 cottages, assisted living, memory support (Jameson Neighborhood), skilled nursing (5-star CMS-rated Stephens Care Center), and short-term rehabilitation across 67 licensed care spaces — supplemented by wellness amenities, lifelong learning programs, and the Kendal Early Learning Center for intergenerational programming.

The community monetizes through a two-part pricing model: non-amortizing or partially refundable entry fees ranging from $108,598 to $713,019 depending on plan type (Platinum comprehensive lifecare vs. Gold modified plan for LTC insurance holders) and unit occupancy, paired with monthly service fees of $3,732 to $9,982. Care services are billed separately on a daily-rate basis tied to assessed acuity tiers. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through an on-campus admissions office, a Priority Membership waitlist program with $1,000 deposit plus $500 processing fee, and a ~3-year inquiry-to-move-in cycle that smooths occupancy.

Kendal at Oberlin is a member of The Kendal Corporation system but governed by its own independent board. Its competitive position rests on a Fitch A+ Issuer Default Rating (one of only three life plan communities nationwide at this level), CARF accreditation across 1,900+ standards, a deep structural partnership with Oberlin College and the Conservatory of Music (driving roughly 40% of resident referrals), and Quaker-values-driven brand positioning. Operations are stable and asset-mature following two Master Plan expansions (2006, 2012), with 235+ employees supported by an $8.9M annual payroll and a $26.9M annual economic impact footprint in Lorain County.

Name

Kendal At Oberlin

Legal name

Kendal at Oberlin

Website

https://kao.kendal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Kendal at Oberlin is a nonprofit Life Plan Community in northeast Ohio serving approximately 350 residents since 1993 with independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, and an intergenerational early learning center, monetized via entry fees and monthly service charges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oberlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Independent Living - Entry and Monthly Fees: Residents pay entry fees (ranging from $108,598 to $713,019 depending on plan type and occupancy) and monthly fees ($3,732 to $9,982) for cottages and apartments. Plans include Platinum (comprehensive lifecare), Gold (modified with LTC insurance), with declining refund options.
2. Care Services Revenue: Fees for assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, and short-term rehabilitation services. Daily rates based on service level assessment, with 67 private licensed residential care spaces including 12 in Jameson Neighborhood.
3. Charitable Donations and Planned Giving: The community accepts donations through various vehicles including outright gifts, bequests, charitable gift annuities, pooled income funds, and endowment funds. Tax ID: 34-1567246.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Kendal at Oberlin is a nonprofit Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) on a 110+ acre campus in Oberlin, Ohio, serving approximately 350 residents. It provides a continuum of care including independent living in cottages and apartments, plus assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, and short-term rehabilitation through the Stephens Care Center. Supporting offerings include wellness programs, lifelong learning via Oberlin College partnership, and an intergenerational Kendal Early Learning Center.

Product overview

Kendal at Oberlin is a Life Plan Community (Continuing Care Retirement Community) offering a continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing. The core independent living product consists of cottages and apartments (48 apartments, 175 cottages) on a 110+ acre campus with arboretum. The Stephens Care Center provides integrated care services including assisted living, the Jameson Neighborhood memory support program, short-term rehabilitation, and long-term nursing care. Supporting programs include the nationally accredited Kendal Early Learning Center (intergenerational), wellness programs with fitness facilities and aquatic therapy, and lifelong learning opportunities through Oberlin College partnership. All services operate under a nonprofit mission with Quaker values emphasizing resident-led lifestyle and inclusive community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Stephens Care Center: Person-centered care facility within Kendal at Oberlin offering memory support, assisted living, and nursing care.
• Jameson Neighborhood
• Kendal Early Learning Center
• KORA

Products and services

• Independent Living Wellness-focused, resident-led lifestyle for active older adults in 48 apartments and 175 cottages on a 110+ acre campus, featuring maintenance-free living with flexible meal plans, utilities, and access to campus amenities.
• Assisted Living (Stephens Care Center) Personalized assisted living care for seniors requiring assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and medication management, with 24-hour dedicated specially trained team support.
• Memory Support (Jameson Neighborhood) Specialized person-centered memory care and dementia support provided through the Jameson Neighborhood within Stephens Care Center, featuring customized purposeful activities and a designed environment to minimize distractions.
• Short-Term Rehabilitation Skilled nursing and rehabilitative therapy for recovery after surgery, illness, or injury, offering 24-hour care with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services in private suites; 5-star CMS rated.
• Long-Term Nursing Care 5-star CMS rated skilled nursing care in private suites within Stephens Care Center for residents with complex health needs, offering hospice-based end-of-life care and comprehensive support services across 4 tier levels.
• Kendal Early Learning Center Nationally accredited preschool program for children of employees and community families, featuring intergenerational programming that connects children with Kendal residents through shared activities.
• Wellness Programs Comprehensive fitness and wellness offerings including 4-lane lap pool, warm-water therapy pool, exercise equipment room, and land/aquatic classes such as Tai Chi, Yoga, water aerobics, and strength training.
• Lifelong Learning Educational opportunities leveraging proximity to Oberlin College, including free college class auditing, Conservatory of Music concert attendance, and on-campus learning committees and interest groups.

Quantifiable outcome

• One of only 3 life plan communities nationwide to achieve A+ rating from Fitch Ratings
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 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.

• Oberlin College and Conservatory of MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeep integration with Oberlin College providing residents access to 500+ annual concerts, free class auditing, library access, and intergenerational programming. About 37-40% of Kendal residents are alumni or former faculty/staff. Students volunteer at Kendal and some live in Kendal-owned property in exchange for service hours. Conservatory students perform at Kendal regularly.
• The Kendal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization that developed, financed, and manages Kendal at Oberlin. Provides Values and Practices based on Quaker values. Kendal at Oberlin has independent Board of Directors with Kendal Corporation as supporting partner. Access to Kendal System-wide resources and shared services.
• Kendal Early Learning CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-campus intergenerational early learning center serving children of employees and community families. Five-star Step Up to Quality rated. NAEYC accredited. Generations United program of distinction award. Children participate in intergenerational activities with Kendal residents including memory care.
• Oberlin Community ServicesminorOthersLocal nonprofit receiving volunteer support and donations from Kendal residents. Kendal provides space and resources for community benefit activities.
• Lorain County Nonprofit OrganizationsminorOthersOver 80 nonprofit organizations in Lorain County receive volunteer support from Kendal residents, contributing 46,000+ hours annually. Includes Oberlin Rotary, Alzheimer's Association, Second Harvest Food Bank, and others.
• Senior Stewards Acting For the Environment (SSAFE)minorOthersOrganization organized by residents of eight Kendal communities in 2020 with nearly 150 members. Promotes climate justice, education, and action in senior communities.
• Allen Memorial Art MuseumminorOthersOberlin College museum that residents volunteer at and visit for cultural enrichment.
• ArbNetminorOthersInternational arboretum accreditation organization that granted John Bartram Arboretum Level II designation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Atria Senior Living: Large national operator of independent living, assisted living, and memory support communities. Comparable care service offering for similar resident profiles, but for-profit multi-community operator rather than a single nonprofit CCRC.
• Brookdale Senior Living: Largest U.S. senior living operator offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing across hundreds of communities nationwide. Broad incumbent with overlapping care continuum but for-profit, multifamily operating model that differs from Kendal's nonprofit lifecare structure.
• Sunrise Senior Living: National senior living operator with assisted living and memory care as core offerings, plus independent living in many communities. Comparable resident population and care services but operates a for-profit, predominantly rental model rather than a lifecare/entry-fee structure.
• Erickson Senior Living: Large-scale operator of continuing care retirement communities across multiple U.S. states. Offers a comparable lifecare model with independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing on large campuses, but as a for-profit multi-community portfolio rather than a single nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Kendal at Hanover: New Hampshire-based Kendal Corporation life plan community providing the same continuum-of-care model (independent living through skilled nursing) with Quaker values and similar CARF-accredited standards. Most directly comparable peer sharing the Kendal system, mission, and operating philosophy.
• Kendal on Hudson: Operates as a Kendal Corporation sister community in Sleepy Hollow, NY, offering the same life plan community model with independent living, assisted living, memory support, and skilled nursing. Direct peer within the Kendal system, sharing values, programming approach, and the Fitch-rated financial structure.
• Otterbein SeniorLife: Ohio-based nonprofit life plan community operator with multiple campuses across the state, providing independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing. Operates in the same Ohio market and shares nonprofit lifecare contract structure with Kendal at Oberlin.
• Kendal at Lexington: Virginia-based Kendal Corporation life plan community with a comparable care continuum, resident-led governance, and lifecare contract structure. Direct system peer sharing brand, accreditation approach, and intergenerational programming philosophy.

Regional players

• Eliza Jennings: Cleveland-based nonprofit senior services organization offering independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation across multiple Northeast Ohio locations. Direct regional competitor for the same Lorain/Cuyahoga County resident pool.
• Judson Senior Living: Cleveland-area nonprofit life plan community offering independent living, assisted living, memory support, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation. Comparable Northeast Ohio nonprofit CCRC competing for the same regional affluent resident demographic.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KendalAtOberlin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCvlpbIoMd_om8D7YqoD5ngg
• Facebookfacebook.com/KendalatOberlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kendal-at-oberlin

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 Kendal At Oberlin