Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UA

What Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UA does

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama is a nonprofit, member-supported educational program serving adults aged 50 and older across Alabama. Operated under the university's Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (OTIDE), OLLI delivers non-credit courses, field trips, social events, and group travel programs through three physical chapters (Tuscaloosa, Greater Birmingham, and Gadsden) plus online offerings. The program is member-led and volunteer-driven: instructors, advisory councils, and committee members are themselves dues-paying members, and the curriculum spans history, science, wellness, arts, and technology with no homework, grades, or degree requirements. A cross-campus OLLI Shares initiative with Auburn University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville extends online course access to members of all three institutions at no incremental cost.

OLLI at UA generates revenue through a layered fee structure: an annual membership of $65 (August 1 to July 31), per-semester course packages of $55-$60, individual field trip and travel fees ($24-$898 per person), UA campus parking permits ($40), and philanthropic contributions including endowment distributions from the Bernard Osher Foundation. The membership year runs August 1 through July 31, with scholarships available covering 50% of fees for need-based applicants. A staffed OLLI office (four paid staff including Program Director Sara Brunow) operates out of the Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus, supported by volunteer leadership and approximately 60 total personnel including volunteer instructors. Registration is conducted through the Enrole platform or by phone via OTIDE Registration Services.

The program is part of the national Bernard Osher Foundation network of 125+ college-affiliated OLLIs and is subject to all University of Alabama and State of Alabama institutional rules. Community partners include Capstone Village, Crimson Village, Regency Retirement, Home in Place, FOCUS 50+, and TUARA, while travel logistics are delivered through Collette, Diamond Tours, and PML Travel and Tours. The America250 Alabama partnership provides themed programming tied to the U.S. semiquincentennial. Membership donation thresholds (10% of members contributing annually) are required to maintain endowment eligibility with the Osher Foundation.

Name

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UA

Legal name

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at The University of Alabama

Website

https://olli.ua.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at The University of Alabama is a nonprofit, member-supported educational program offering non-credit courses, field trips, socials, and travel to adults 50+ across three Alabama chapters and online, funded through memberships, course fees, and the Bernard Osher Foundation endowment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Lifelong Learning

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA)

Keywords

• Adult lifelong learning
• Senior education programs
• Continuing education courses
• Community learning institute
• Educational travel programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Tuscaloosa

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Annual Membership Dues: Adults 50+ pay an annual membership fee of $65 per membership year (August 1–July 31). Membership grants access to register for courses, field trips, socials, and travel programs.
2. Semester Course Packages: Members purchase semester course packages: Fall ($60), Spring ($60), and Summer ($55) per semester. These packages allow registration in unlimited courses and field trips within that semester, subject to capacity.
3. Field Trips and Travel Programs: Individual field trips and multi-day travel programs carry separate per-person fees (e.g., $24–$350 for field trips; $698–$898 deposits for international travel). These are additive revenue streams beyond the course package.
4. Parking Permits and Ancillary Fees: UA campus parking permits (OLLI parking permit for $40 valid through Aug. 15, 2026) and daily parking rates are charged separately. Vendor fees at showcase events ($50–$125) provide minor ancillary revenue.
5. Philanthropic Contributions and Endowments: OLLI receives philanthropic support from members and the community. The Bernard Osher Foundation provides endowment funding that requires 10% of members to make yearly financial contributions. Several named endowed funds (Dennis James Memorial Travel Fund, Peter Peacock Memorial Scholarship Fund, etc.) facilitate donations. The Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation receives a portion of program invoices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

OLLI at UA operates a membership-based lifelong learning program for adults 50+, providing access to educational courses, field trips, social events, and group travel. The program is delivered through three Alabama chapters (Tuscaloosa, Greater Birmingham, Gadsden) plus online offerings, with annual memberships ($65) and per-semester course packages ($55-$60) covering unlimited class registration.

Product overview

OLLI at UA is a membership-based lifelong learning program for adults 50+ offered through The University of Alabama's Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (OTIDE). The program consists of multiple service offerings: an annual OLLI Membership providing access to courses, field trips, socials, and travel; in-person and online educational Courses across topics like history, science, wellness, arts, and technology; Field Trips including local day trips and overnight excursions within Alabama and nearby states; Social Events including lunch bunches, supper clubs, and after-hours gatherings; Travel with OLLI featuring national and international group travel; OLLI Shares collaborative online courses with Auburn and UAH; Public Programs (Complimentary Bonus Programs) free and open to the public; and the America250Alabama program celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary with themed courses. The program operates through three chapters in Tuscaloosa, Greater Birmingham, and Gadsden.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OLLI Annual Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Adults who stay intellectually active are healthier and more socially balanced; keeping the brain busy may help fight age-related memory decline and potentially slow Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CollettecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollette is the primary travel partner for OLLI at UA's international and national travel programs. OLLI travel itineraries (e.g., Christmas on the Danube River Cruise, Spain's Costa del Sol, Painted Canyons of the West, Irish Splendor) are booked through Collette's platform with OLLI-branded landing pages.
• Diamond Tours Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDiamond Tours Inc. is listed as a travel partner for OLLI travel programs, providing group travel logistics and transportation for OLLI members.
• PML Travel and Tours Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPML Travel and Tours Inc. (customizing group travel since 1986) is a travel partner listed alongside Collette and Diamond Tours for OLLI travel programs.
• OLLI at Auburn UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI at UA collaborates with OLLI at Auburn University each semester to offer online shared courses through the OLLI Shares program. Members from both campuses can register for each other's online courses at no additional cost beyond their membership and course package fees.
• OLLI at University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI at UA collaborates with OLLI at UAH each semester through the OLLI Shares program, offering cross-campus online courses. Members from all three Alabama OLLI campuses (UA, Auburn, UAH) can access shared courses at no extra cost beyond their semester course package.
• University of Alabama – Bryant Conference CentercoreOthersThe Bryant Conference Center (BCC) on the UA campus is the primary venue for OLLI at UA's Tuscaloosa Chapter courses and events. BCC provides classrooms, AV equipment, complimentary beverages during classes, and OLLI staff office space (Room 105). BCC is operated as part of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (OTIDE).
• Capstone VillageminorOthersCapstone Village is a community partner of OLLI at UA. Capstone Village is a University of Alabama-affiliated retirement community, which may provide members or serve as a referral channel for OLLI programming.
• Kentuck Arts CenterminorOthersKentuck Arts Center in Northport serves as a venue partner for OLLI art and craft courses (e.g., Clay Studio classes). OLLI members benefit from access to this cultural venue, and Kentuck Arts Center gains exposure to OLLI's adult learner demographic.
• Crimson VillageminorOthersCrimson Village is listed as a community partner of OLLI at UA, likely a senior living or retirement community in the Tuscaloosa area that collaborates with OLLI for programming or referrals.
• Home in PlaceminorOthersHome in Place is listed as a community partner of OLLI at UA. It may be a housing or aging-in-place organization that connects clients with OLLI programming.
• Regency RetirementminorOthersRegency Retirement is listed as a community partner of OLLI at UA, potentially referring residents to OLLI programs or hosting OLLI programming at their facilities.
• The University of Alabama Retirement Association (TUARA)minorOthersTUARA is a community partner of OLLI at UA. As a university retirement association, TUARA likely refers retired UA faculty and staff to OLLI programming and may co-sponsor educational events.
• FOCUS 50+minorOthersFOCUS 50+ (McAbee Activity Center) in Tuscaloosa serves as a venue partner for OLLI classes. This senior-focused community center provides classroom space for OLLI programming.
• Tuscaloosa County Extension OfficeminorOthersThe Tuscaloosa County Extension Office (part of Alabama Cooperative Extension System) serves as a venue partner for select OLLI courses in Tuscaloosa.
• America250 AlabamaminorOthersOLLI at UA is an official Made in Alabama Brand Partner for America250 Alabama, the statewide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. OLLI offers designated 250-series courses aligned with this theme, exploring American history, culture, and the Revolutionary era.
• Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education (OTIDE)coreOthersOLLI at UA operates under the auspices of OTIDE at The University of Alabama. OTIDE provides administrative oversight, staff (including the OLLI Director), financial management, and institutional support. OTIDE has authority to rescind any OLLI action and approves the annual budget. OLLI is subject to all UA, UA System, Board of Trustees, and State of Alabama rules and regulations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Encore.org: National organization focused on encore-career and second-act learning opportunities for adults 50+. Shares the broader 50+ lifelong-learning and purpose-driven mission with OLLI at UA, though it emphasizes transitions and social impact rather than structured courses.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA): Large national advocacy and services organization for older adults that includes educational, health, and economic-security programming. Overlaps with OLLI at UA on educational programming for the 50+ audience but operates across a much broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• Road Scholar (Elderhostel): National nonprofit providing educational travel and learning programs for adults 50+. Overlaps with OLLI at UA's travel and lifelong-learning offerings for the same demographic, particularly around group travel programming.
• OASIS: National nonprofit operating in-person and online lifelong learning programs for adults 50+, with classes, travel, and health programs. Directly competes for the same 50+ lifelong learner market in overlapping geographies.
• OLLI at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH): Active OLLI Shares collaboration partner and fellow Bernard Osher Foundation-funded OLLI in Alabama. Offers the same adult 50+ lifelong-learning membership, courses, field trips, and travel program structure.
• OLLI at Auburn University: Sister OLLI within the same statewide Alabama cooperative network and active OLLI Shares partner. Operates under the same Bernard Osher Foundation-supported, member-led lifelong-learning model for adults 50+, making it the most directly comparable peer.
• OLLI at the University of Michigan: One of the largest and longest-running Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, with a similar member-led, volunteer-instructor operating model serving adults 50+. Provides a useful upper-bound benchmark for the OLLI model OLLI at UA follows.
• OLLI at the University of Florida: Large college-affiliated OLLI serving adults 50+ through the same Bernard Osher Foundation model, with a comparable mix of courses, socials, and travel. Comparable in mission, pricing discipline, and volunteer-driven course delivery.

Emerging players

• Modern Elder Academy: Residential lifelong learning program specifically targeting midlife transitions for adults 50+. Comparable on adult 50+ lifelong learning mission but differentiated by residential format and narrower focus on career and purpose transitions.
• SeniorNet: Nonprofit providing technology education and learning resources to older adults. Overlaps with OLLI at UA's 50+ learning audience and partially with the tech-related course offerings OLLI provides.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/olli.ua.edu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ua-olli

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UA