Osher Life Long Learning

What Osher Life Long Learning does

OLLI-UO is a non-credit lifelong learning program operated through the University of Oregon's Continuing and Professional Education division, serving adults aged 50 and older across three Oregon locations: Eugene/Springfield, Central Oregon (Bend), and Northwest Oregon (Portland), plus statewide virtual participation via Zoom. The program offers lectures, multi-week courses, study groups, discussion groups, field trips, and member-led Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) with no grades, tests, or prerequisites, and a curriculum shaped by member course proposals through volunteer governance councils at each site. Program delivery runs synchronously across in-person, Zoom, and hybrid formats, supported by a member portal for self-service registration, donations, handout access, and member directories.

Name

Osher Life Long Learning

Legal name

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Oregon

Website

https://osher.uoregon.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OLLI-UO is a non-credit lifelong learning program at the University of Oregon serving adults 50+ across three Oregon locations (Eugene, Bend, Portland) plus Zoom, with member-driven curriculum and rolling memberships starting at $75.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult Continuing Education

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Adult continuing education
• Lifelong learning programs
• Senior education services
• Community learning programs
• Non-credit university courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual, six-month, and three-month membership fees provide the primary revenue stream. A single fee covers access to all OLLI-UO locations and delivery formats (in-person, Zoom, hybrid).
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible contributions received through the UO Foundation, placed in designated OLLI-UO funds. Members voluntarily contribute to help defray program expenses beyond membership fees.
3. Osher Endowment Distribution: Annual distribution from the Bernard Osher Foundation endowment provides supplemental funding. The foundation awarded a million-dollar endowment in 2008 to the University of Oregon for OLLI-UO.
4. Osher Online Course Fees: National Osher Online classes offered at $70 per six-week class, available exclusively to OLLI members. Revenue flows through the Osher National Resource Center.
5. Apparel Sales: OLLI-UO branded merchandise including fleece jackets, vests, and polo shirts sold at $15-$50 price points.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

OLLI-UO delivers a non-credit lifelong learning program for adults 50 and older, providing lectures, courses, study groups, discussion groups, field trips, and social events. Programming is offered in person at three Oregon locations (Eugene, Portland, and the Oregon Coast) and through virtual participation via Zoom, with self-service registration via the Member Portal.

Product overview

OLLI-UO is a single, unified lifelong learning platform offering educational programs for adults 50+ through three geographic locations (Central Oregon, Eugene/Springfield, Northwest Oregon) plus virtual participation. The core program includes lectures, courses, study groups, discussion groups, field trips, and Shared Interest Groups (SIGs). Members access all offerings through a single membership fee with participation options including in-person, Zoom, or hybrid formats. The Member Portal provides member self-service functionality, while Osher Online offers national programming through the Osher National Resource Center for additional course access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OLLI-UO Lifelong Learning Membership Program The flagship OLLI-UO program offering adults 50+ non-credit lifelong learning through lectures, courses, study groups, discussion groups, field trips, and social events. Members register for courses and events through the Member Portal with multi-modal delivery across three Oregon locations (Eugene, Portland, Oregon Coast) and Zoom.
• Osher Online (National Online Catalog) Online catalogue of courses, shared across the 124 Bernard Osher Foundation institutes, that OLLI-UO members can access. Select online courses are available to OLLI-UO members at no additional cost, while others are bookable for a fee.
• Branded Apparel (OLLI-UO Gear) Branded OLLI-UO apparel product line available for purchase, supporting member affinity and serving as a supplemental revenue stream.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ years of continuous operation with 3,100+ participants served
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Osher National Resource Center (Northwestern University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University supports the network of 120+ Osher Institutes through collaboration, resource sharing, and the National Osher Online program. OLLI-UO members can access Osher Online classes delivered by the NRC.
• Deschutes Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI-UO in Central Oregon partners with Deschutes Public Library to offer free public lectures on select Fridays throughout the year. Registration is not required and events are open to the public, serving as a community outreach channel.
• Larkspur Community CenterminorOthersPrimary venue for Central Oregon programming in Bend. OLLI-UO holds classes and events in the multipurpose room at this community center.
• UO Baker Downtown CenterminorOthersPrimary venue for Eugene/Springfield programming. OLLI-UO classes are held at the University of Oregon Baker Downtown Center, with adjacent CPE permit parking available.
• UO Northeast Portland CampusminorOthersNorthwest Oregon site located at UO Northeast Portland Campus in the Concordia neighborhood. Classes held in Room 108 of the Library and Learning Commons building.
• Touchmark at Pilot ButteminorOthersBend senior living community that hosts OLLI-UO programming including discussion groups in the 4th floor boardroom, documentary movies in the 3rd floor theatre room, and social events in the 1st floor multipurpose room.
• Affinity at BendminorOthersBend senior living community hosting OLLI-UO art classes in the crafts studio (2nd floor) and select courses/lectures in the theatre room (1st floor).
• Elks Lodge #1371minorOthersBend Elks Lodge location with 90 free parking spaces, hosting OLLI-UO classes and events at their facility.
• University of OregoncoreOthersOLLI-UO is a non-credit program of UO Continuing and Professional Education. The university provides administrative infrastructure, library access for members, and institutional affiliation. UO branding and logo appear throughout materials.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves2 records

Direct peers

• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University: Duke's Osher institute offering non-credit lifelong learning for adults 50+ in the Research Triangle area. Directly comparable as another university-based Osher program with similar member profile, pricing tiers, and event-driven GTM.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UCLA: UCLA's Osher institute offering lifelong learning courses for adults 50+ in the Los Angeles area. Directly comparable as another large university-based Osher program with multi-format delivery (in-person, online) and similar community-led programming.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Harvard University: Harvard's HOLLAR institute (formerly the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, joined Osher network in 2000). Comparable as a prestigious university-affiliated Osher program serving mature adults with a member-driven curriculum and Boston-area programming.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC Berkeley: Another Osher Lifelong Learning Institute operating on a member-driven model for adults 50+, offering lectures, courses, and special interest groups through UC Berkeley Continuing Education. Directly comparable as part of the same national Osher network with similar programming, governance, and member profile.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Wisconsin–Madison: Wisconsin's flagship Osher institute, a direct peer offering member-driven lifelong learning for adults 50+ across multiple Wisconsin locations. Comparable mission, structure, and pricing tier approach (annual membership covering all locations and formats).
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Northwestern University: Direct Osher peer hosted at Northwestern, and notably also the home of the Osher National Resource Center that supports the national network. Closely comparable in mission, programming structure, and member demographics; serves as both peer and ecosystem partner.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Tufts University: Tufts' Osher institute serving adults 50+ in the Boston metro area with courses, lectures, and special interest groups. Direct peer within the Osher network with comparable program structure, member profile, and university affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• Road Scholar: The largest U.S. provider of educational travel and lifelong learning programs for adults 50+ (formerly Elderhostel). Broad incumbent in the same lifelong-learning-for-seniors category with significantly greater scale, a national catalog, and travel-based programming that overlaps with OLLI's mission.

Emerging players

• Encore Learning (formerly OASIS Institute): National nonprofit providing educational and social programs for adults 50+ across multiple U.S. cities. Comparable as an adult-learner-focused membership organization with similar course-based programming, though operates outside the Osher network and focuses on community-center delivery.

Others

• Learning in Retirement Associations (LIR Network): Federation of independent Learning in Retirement groups across the U.S. and Canada serving older adult learners. Comparable as the broader peer ecosystem of grassroots, member-driven lifelong learning organizations that preceded and overlap with the Osher network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/olliuo
• Instagraminstagram.com/olli_uo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/osher-life-long-learning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Osher Life Long Learning