Blue Lotus Center

What Blue Lotus Center does

Blue Lotus Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 43-1989545) operating a 64-acre accessible nature retreat at 5501 County Road M in West Bend, Wisconsin. Founded in 2002 by Fred and Susan Bliffert on a property originally purchased by the Bliffert family in 1948, the organization provides outdoor recreational programming for individuals with disabilities and other profound life challenges, families with special-needs children, nonprofit groups, businesses, and neurodivergent adults. The center hosted a record 3,400 visitors in 2022.

The offering is built around a physical accessibility infrastructure that includes adaptive equipment (Action TrackChair all-terrain wheelchair, accessible kayaks and canoe seats, pool chair lift, accessible swings and bikes, sensory amenities, and the Wispact Ability Corner equipment-lending station), an accessible boardwalk and trail system, a 4-acre pond, a heated in-ground pool, a 42-seat pavilion, and 2 miles of hiking trails across 6 paths. Programs include Blue Lotus Days for Families, Self-Care Retreats, Open Houses, the All Abilities Programming initiative, and the Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program, which pays neurodivergent adults $12.50/hour for 4–20 hours per week of conservation and groundskeeping work from April to October.

The business model combines earned and contributed revenue streams: nominal-fee nonprofit group rentals, quote-based business and wellness rentals, program registration fees, one-time and recurring donations (including a "Blue Lotus Angel" monthly program), foundation grants, event sponsorships ($10,000 per week of programming), and a planned-giving endowment targeting a $5 million goal via the Legacy Society. Distribution is direct via phone, email, and online forms through a small professional staff of 8 supported by volunteers and a Board of Trustees, marketed through the center's website, social channels, community events (Golf Scramble, Spring Concert, Blue Lotus Days), and word-of-mouth within Wisconsin nonprofit and healthcare networks.

Name

Blue Lotus Center

Legal name

Blue Lotus Center

Website

https://thebluelotuscenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blue Lotus Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 64-acre accessible nature retreat in West Bend, Wisconsin, providing adaptive outdoor recreation, programs, and rentals for individuals with disabilities, special-needs families, nonprofit groups, businesses, and neurodivergent adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Accessible Nature Retreat Services

NAICS

RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps (7212), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Wellness Retreat Centers (Yoga, Meditation & Mindfulness) (THAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Recreation Campgrounds (Amenities/Activities Focus) (THAMAJAJ), Wellness & Retreat Stays (Yoga, Spa, Detox) (THAMADAJ), Wellness Retreats & Immersions (Multi-day, Digital Detox, Mind-Body Programs) (THAJAHAB)

Keywords

• Accessible outdoor recreation
• Nature retreat programs
• Disability inclusion services
• Adaptive recreation programs
• Nonprofit wellness retreats

Headquarters

HQ city

West Bend

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Nonprofit Group Rentals: Nominal fee rental for nonprofit groups that assist those with life challenges, offering half or full day access to 64 acres including trails, pond, outdoor equipment, and pavilion space
2. Business & Wellness Rentals: Rental fees for businesses and wellness groups seeking team-building retreats, yoga retreats, and group gatherings at the nature retreat facility
3. Blue Lotus Programming Fees: Fees for Blue Lotus-designed programming including Blue Lotus Days for Families, Self-Care Retreats, All Abilities Programs, and Open Houses for community members
4. Donations: 501(c)(3) nonprofit depends on donor generosity; accepts monthly 'Blue Lotus Angel' contributions, one-time donations online/by mail/by phone, and Wish List item donations
5. Legacy Society & Planned Giving: Endowment program targeting $5 million goal; accepts bequests, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Blue Lotus Center operates a 64-acre accessible nature retreat in West Bend, Wisconsin, providing nature-based recreation, retreats, and specialized programs for individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, trauma backgrounds, and other life challenges. The center delivers its offerings through paid facility rentals (nonprofit group outings, business and wellness retreats), structured Blue Lotus programming (Family Days, Self-Care Retreats, Open Houses), and a Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program for paid workforce development, supported by adaptive equipment and trained staff.

Product overview

Blue Lotus Center operates as a single, unified nonprofit retreat offering rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The organization provides a portfolio of interconnected programs and rentals centered on accessible nature-based recreation. Core offerings include Blue Lotus Days for Families (family-oriented accessible outdoor days), Self-Care Retreats (trauma-sensitive programming), Open Houses (public community events), and the Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program (paid employment for neurodivergent adults). Facility rentals include Nonprofit Group Outings (reduced-cost access for qualifying organizations) and Business & Wellness Rentals (corporate retreats and wellness events). The center's 64-acre property serves as the shared platform for all programs, with amenities including outdoor grounds (trails, pond, labyrinth, swings), water recreation (pool, kayaks, fishing pier), indoor spaces (pavilion, kitchen), and accessibility equipment (terrain wheelchairs, adaptive boats, mobility aids). All Abilities Programming serves as an accessibility overlay that can be applied to any program, providing accommodations and support for guests with disabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Blue Lotus Days for Families Family-oriented outdoor days set aside for families with children (of all ages) with special needs. Visitors can fish, kayak/canoe, take nature walks, relax on swings, play yard games, and picnic at their own pace.
• Self-Care Retreats Trauma-sensitive yoga and supportive activities in nature designed to promote peace, clarity, emotional stability, well-being, and understanding for individuals experiencing stress or trauma.
• Open Houses Public open house events where community members can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, and playing on the 64-acre property. Limited days per year when the center is open to the general public.
• Nonprofit Group Outings Half or full day rentals for nonprofit groups serving individuals with life challenges. Groups get exclusive access to all 64 acres including trails, pond, outdoor equipment, and pavilion space for a nominal fee.
• Business & Wellness Rentals Facility rentals for team-building retreats, yoga/wellness retreats, and group gatherings. Includes access to outdoor activities (kayaking, campfire) and professional staff can help contract service providers for interactive programs.
• Neurodiversity Apprenticeship Program Paid employment program for neurodivergent individuals (18+) providing skills development in conservation and groundskeeping. Runs April-October, paying $12.50/hour for 4-20 hours/week with on-the-job training in trail maintenance, gardening, boating, and other outdoor skills.
• Wispact Ability Corner Equipment lending station staffed through partnership with the Wispact Foundation offering guests short-term access to mobility aids including hiking poles, walking sticks, rollators, transfer chairs, and sensory backpacks during their visit.

Quantifiable outcome

• Hosted record 3,400 visitors in 2022
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit network providing disability services including camp and recreation programs. Comparable mission focus on serving people with disabilities, but Easterseals operates as a broad multi-service incumbent across many states rather than as a single-site retreat.
• Miraval Resorts: For-profit wellness resort brand offering nature-based retreats, yoga, mindfulness, and self-care programming. Comparable wellness-retreat category, but operates as a luxury commercial hospitality brand rather than as a mission-driven nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Omega Institute for Holistic Studies: Nonprofit holistic retreat center in Rhinebeck, NY offering wellness workshops, retreats, and nature-based programs on a large rural campus. Comparable retreat-and-programming model serving individuals seeking healing and self-care experiences in nature.
• Camp Twin Lakes: Georgia-based nonprofit camp serving children with serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. Comparable mission, nonprofit funding model, day-camp style programming, and adaptive recreation focus, though operating at larger scale.
• Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health: Larger nonprofit wellness retreat center in Stockbridge, MA offering yoga, mindfulness, and self-care programming on a multi-hundred-acre campus. Highly comparable retreat-and-programming business model, though Kripalu operates at significantly greater scale and is not disability-focused.
• Common Ground Center: Small Vermont-based retreat center offering nature-based programs, retreats, and inclusive gatherings. Comparable smaller-scale nonprofit retreat model with mixed mission/community programming.
• Outdoors for All: Seattle-based nonprofit that provides adaptive outdoor recreation for children and adults with disabilities. Closely comparable mission of making outdoor activities accessible to people with disabilities through adaptive equipment and trained staff.
• Wilderness Inquiry: Nonprofit organization providing outdoor adventure experiences for people of all abilities, including people with disabilities. Direct peer on mission and adaptive outdoor recreation programming, though Wilderness Inquiry is trip-based rather than site-based.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/BlueLotusFarmRetreatCenterWestBend
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebluelotuscenter.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-blue-lotus-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/thebluelotuscenter/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Blue Lotus Center