Encore Learning

What Encore Learning does

Encore Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2005 (originally as Arlington Learning in Retirement) and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. The organization delivers college-level noncredit courses, social clubs, and special events targeted at adults over the age of 50, regardless of residence location. It currently operates with four part-time staff and a volunteer-driven governance structure, and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025.

The core product is a semester-based catalog of 30-plus college-level noncredit courses spanning humanities, sciences, arts, politics, and current affairs, taught by credentialed experts drawn from universities, government agencies, and nonprofits. Courses are delivered in three formats—in-person at George Mason University's Mason Square campus and Arlington community centers, virtually via Zoom, and hybrid—selectively recorded for asynchronous viewing. Supporting offerings include 13 interest-based clubs, special events co-sponsored with the Arlington Public Library, and a Class Aide volunteer program that provides in-class technical and logistical support.

The business model combines an annual membership fee ($65 per person) with per-course registration ($55 per course), supplemented by tax-deductible donations directed to the General Fund, the Arthur W. Gosling Youth Scholarship, and the Retired Federal Employee Scholarship (via the Arlington Community Foundation). Go-to-market is community-led: recruitment occurs through email newsletters, a quarterly printed catalog, social media, community health fairs, senior living partnerships (notably Goodwin Living), and word-of-mouth referrals. Technology infrastructure is built on commodity platforms—ASAP Connected for registration and membership management, Zoom for delivery, Constant Contact for email, and Survey Monkey for course evaluations.

Name

Encore Learning

Legal name

Encore Learning

Website

https://encorelearning.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Encore Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Arlington, Virginia that delivers college-level noncredit courses, clubs, and special events for adults over 50, via in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats under an annual membership model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Lifelong Learning

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Adult education
• Lifelong learning
• Senior education
• Noncredit courses
• Community clubs

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Annual membership fee providing full access to all special events, clubs, and right to enroll in courses. Membership is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
2. Course Registration Fees: Per-course registration fee of $55 per course. Members may take as many courses as desired at this rate.
3. Donations and Scholarships: Tax-deductible donations to General Fund for sustainability or Arthur W. Gosling Youth Scholarship Fund. Also receives donations via Arlington Community Foundation Nonprofit Wish Catalog.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Encore Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers college-level noncredit courses, social clubs, and special events for adults over age 50. The organization offers over 30 courses each Fall and Spring semester across subjects including Fine Arts, History, Literature, Science & Technology, Law & Politics, Health & Wellness, and Social Sciences, delivered in-person, virtually, and hybrid formats. Annual membership ($65) plus per-course fees ($55) grants access to courses, 13 clubs, lectures, and cultural outings.

Product overview

Encore Learning is a lifelong learning organization offering a platform of educational and social programs for adults over 50. The core offerings include college-level noncredit courses (the primary product with over 30 courses per semester across diverse subjects), a Clubs Program (13 clubs for shared interests), and Special Events (tours, lectures, and cultural outings). The Membership Program ($65 annually) provides access to all offerings, with courses priced at $55 each. Supporting services include Course Recordings (select courses recorded for asynchronous viewing), the Class Aide Program (volunteer in-class support), Scholarship Programs (financial aid for members), and Instructor Guides (training resources for both virtual and in-person teaching). Courses are delivered in three formats: in-person at Arlington venues, virtual via Zoom, and hybrid (simultaneous in-person and online attendance).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College-Level Noncredit Courses Over 30 college-level noncredit courses offered each Fall and Spring semester across subjects including Fine Arts, History, Literature, Science & Technology, Law & Politics, Health & Wellness, and Social Sciences, taught by experts from universities, government agencies, nonprofits, and companies, and delivered in-person, virtual, or hybrid formats to members.
• Clubs Program Thirteen social clubs offering ongoing engagement and shared-interest activities for members, including book clubs, music groups, kayaking, improv, travel, technology, and wellness-focused clubs.
• Special Events Program Public lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, and member-only tours of museums, historical sites, and cultural venues, including 'Encore Learning Presents' events co-sponsored with Arlington Central Library.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership at $65 per person providing full access to all special events, clubs, and right to enroll in unlimited courses at $55 each. Gift memberships and complimentary memberships via partnerships are also available.
• Scholarship Programs Financial aid programs providing membership and free course registration: Member Scholarships (up to 5 yearly based on financial need), Retired Federal Employee Scholarships, and the Arthur W. Gosling Youth Scholarship Fund for high school seniors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 30 courses offered per semester
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration9 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• George Mason UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGMU provides classroom facilities at Mason Square campus in Arlington for in-person and hybrid course delivery. Encore Learning utilizes GMU's Van Metre Hall rooms, parking facilities, and technology infrastructure including AV equipment and Wi-Fi. The partnership enables Encore Learning to offer college-level courses in a university setting.
• Arlington County (Parks, Schools, and Recreation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArlington County provides facilities including Fairlington Community Center and supports communication infrastructure. The partnership enables course locations across Arlington and community outreach.
• Goodwin LivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing complimentary Encore Learning membership to residents of Goodwin Living senior living communities. Includes Bailey's Crossroads, Goodwin Living Alexandria, and Goodwin Living at Home. Enables member outreach and recruitment from senior living populations.
• Arlington Public Schools - Janice Gentry Scholarship FundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncore Learning contributes annually to the Janice Gentry Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to Arlington adults seeking continuing education. The fund, managed by APS Career, Technical and Adult Education program, has disbursed 823 scholarships.
• Arlington Central LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsorship of Encore Learning Presents public lectures, panels, and film screenings at the Arlington Central Library. Free public events scheduled Monday afternoons featuring expert speakers on various topics.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Road Scholar: National nonprofit (formerly Elderhostel) offering educational travel and learning programs for older adults. Adjacent rather than directly competing on in-person local courses, but competes for the same demographic's discretionary learning spend.
• Smithsonian Associates: The Smithsonian's adult education arm offering lectures, courses, study tours, and cultural events in the DC area. Operates at much larger scale as part of the Smithsonian Institution but competes for the same DC-based intellectually curious adult learner.
• George Mason University Continuing and Professional Education: Encore Learning's primary facility partner at Mason Square also offers its own continuing education programming for adults in the DC area, including some courses targeted at older learners. Represents a potential broader competitor as well as a partner.

Direct peers

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLI): Network of 125+ university-affiliated lifelong learning institutes for adults 50+, offering noncredit courses, lectures, and social activities. The most structurally similar model to Encore Learning, with the key distinction that OLLI programs are typically hosted by universities while Encore Learning is independent.
• Lifetime Learning Institute of Fairfax: Northern Virginia-based peer offering noncredit college-level courses and special interest groups for adults 50+. Direct geographic and operational peer, serving the same DC-area senior demographic with the same membership-plus-course-fee pricing model.
• Learning in Retirement (LIR) – various university programs: Generic umbrella for university-affiliated Learning in Retirement programs (e.g., BOLLI at Brandeis, WISE at Assumption, ILR at UW) that share Encore Learning's original 'Arlington Learning in Retirement' model of peer-led noncredit courses for older adults.
• NOVA Lifetime Learning Institute: Northern Virginia Community College's lifelong learning program offering noncredit courses for older adults in the DC region. Operates through a community college rather than an independent nonprofit, but serves the same demographic with similar programming.

Regional players

• Arlington Public Schools Adult Education Programs: Local public-sector adult education provider partnered with Encore Learning via the Janice Gentry Scholarship Fund. Overlaps on adult continuing education mission in Arlington but focuses on workforce and credential-oriented programs rather than enrichment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCti5rC_BzXJKK55tsRML39Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/EncoreLearningArlington
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/encore-learning

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Encore Learning