Kindness Cafe Inc.
Kindness Cafe + Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two coffee shops in Charlottesville, Virginia that employs adults with cognitive disabilities, sells specialty coffee and food, and serves the broader UVA and local community through mission-driven retail.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersCharlottesville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kindness Cafe Inc. does
Kindness Cafe Inc. (operating as Kindness Cafe + Play, DBA Kindness Cville) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia that operates coffee shops whose stated mission is to provide meaningful employment for adults with cognitive disabilities while creating an inclusive community gathering space. Founded in 2020 by former UVA two-sport athlete Katie Kishore (whose daughter Kiran was born with Down syndrome), the company opened its first kiosk at the Brooks Family YMCA (151 McIntire Park Drive) and expanded to a second location at 480 Rugby Road, adjacent to the UVA campus near Beta Bridge, in 2023-2025.
The core offering is a specialty coffee shop menu built on a curated local supply chain: beverages using beans from Grit Coffee (including a proprietary 'Kindness Blend' roast), baked goods from Found.Market Co, and popsicles from La Flor Michoacana, plus real-fruit smoothies, matcha, and merchandise (apparel, travel mugs, gift cards, accessories). The underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal — standard coffee/beverage equipment and Square-based online ordering for pickup, plus a Squarespace-hosted e-commerce merchandise storefront offering local pickup and shipping. There is no proprietary technology platform; the IP is the operational model, brand, and community-positioned physical retail. Headcount grew from two original employees (Max and Crosby, 2019) to roughly 18 by 2023, including nine employees with cognitive disabilities hired in early 2023 when afternoon hours launched.
Revenue mechanics are hybrid: transactional sales of coffee, food, smoothies, popsicles, matcha and merchandise on a unit-pricing basis (apparel $12-$40, accessories $1-$30, coffee from $14 per 12oz, gift cards $10-$100), supplemented by tax-deductible donations via Givelively, Venmo (@Kindness-CafeandPlay), check, and stock, plus grants (notably FCIDD for equipment in 2023) and a Buy-One-Give-One beanie program benefiting The Haven day shelter. Go-to-market is community-led, channeled through monthly email newsletters, Facebook and Instagram (@kindnesscville), local earned media (NBC29, CBS19, VPM, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Cavalier Daily), UVA Athletics events (guest barista programs with men's and women's basketball), and in-person events such as birthday parties, donation drives, and holiday markets. Customer segments are led by adults with cognitive disabilities (as employees and community members) and the broader Charlottesville public — UVA students, families, and visitors — with secondary outreach to schools and organizations seeking disability-inclusion guidance.
Kindness Cafe Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kindness Cafe Inc.
- Legal name
- Kindness Cville
- Website
- https://kindnesscafecville.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Kindness Cafe + Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two coffee shops in Charlottesville, Virginia that employs adults with cognitive disabilities, sells specialty coffee and food, and serves the broader UVA and local community through mission-driven retail.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kindness Cafe Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Coffee Shop (Nonprofit)
- NAICS
- Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave) (THAFADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Independent Neighborhood Cafes (THAFADAC), Specialty Coffee & Tea Retail (Beans, Leaves, Accessories) (CRAHAGAI)
Keywords
Where Kindness Cafe Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Charlottesville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Kindness Cafe Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Coffee and beverage sales: Primary revenue from serving coffee, smoothies, lattes, and other beverages. Sources Grit Coffee for beans.
- Food and baked goods: Sells baked goods from Found.Market, popsicles from La Flor Michoacana, and other food items.
- Merchandise sales: Online shop selling apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats), accessories (mugs, travel tumblers, totes), and gift cards. Products priced from $1 to $40.
- Donations and grants: Accepts donations via Givelively, Venmo (@Kindness-CafeandPlay), check, and stock transfers. Received grants from Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FCIDD). 501(c)(3) nonprofit status makes all gifts tax-deductible.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Gift cards from $10 to $100 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel items from $12 to $40 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories from $1 to $30 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Coffee from $14 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Kindness Cafe Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kindness Cafe + Play operates a non-profit coffee shop providing meaningful employment for adults with cognitive disabilities while serving specialty coffee, smoothies, matcha drinks, popsicles, and baked goods to the local community. The core offering combines a neighborhood coffee shop experience with a mission-driven employment program, supported by branded merchandise sales (apparel, accessories, packaged coffee, gift cards) and tax-deductible donations that fund operations.
Product overview
Kindness Cafe + Play operates as a non-profit coffee shop with two physical locations (Brooks Family YMCA and 480 Rugby Road) and an online merchandise store. The core offering combines a coffee shop serving specialty drinks (coffee, matcha, smoothies, popsicles) with a mission-driven employment program for adults with cognitive disabilities. The product portfolio includes the in-cafe food/beverage service and an online merchandise shop selling branded items including coffee beans, apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, hats, beanies, socks), accessories (travel mugs, gift cards, magnets, notecards), and home goods (blankets, ornaments). The company has expanded from a single location (opened 2020) to two locations (2023), and introduced afternoon hours (2023) to increase employment opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kindness Cafe + Play (Coffee Shop Service) Non-profit coffee shop serving specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, matcha beverages, popsicles, and baked goods to the Charlottesville community. Operates two locations (Brooks Family YMCA and 480 Rugby Road) staffed primarily by adults with cognitive disabilities, providing them with paychecks, social connection, and a sense of purpose while serving customers in an inclusive community space.
- Kindness Blend Coffee (Packaged Coffee) Packaged specialty coffee (12 oz, medium roast, whole bean or ground) created exclusively for Kindness Cafe by local roaster Grit Coffee. Sold via the online shop and at the cafe locations to support the nonprofit mission.
- Travel Mugs (Branded Drinkware) 20 oz. double-wall 18/8 stainless steel thermal tumbler with vacuum insulation and clear acrylic push-on swivel lid, suitable for hot or cold beverages. Sold via the Kindness online shop to support the nonprofit mission.
- Branded Apparel (T-shirts, Hoodies, Long-sleeve) Branded clothing including short-sleeve t-shirts ($20), long-sleeve t-shirts ($30), hoodies ($40), Virginia pocket tees ($25), and onesies ($12). Made from quality tri-blend and cotton/polyester materials. Sold via the online shop to fund the nonprofit mission.
- Branded Accessories (Hats, Beanies, Socks) Branded accessories including baseball caps ($20), beanies ($18, buy-one-give-one to The Haven shelter), and Be Kind socks ($12). Sold via the online shop to support the nonprofit mission.
- Gift Cards Physical gift cards available in denominations of $10 to $100, plus online gift cards. Handmade gift cards ($5) are created by Kindness staff. Used at both cafe locations for purchases.
- Home Goods (Blankets, Ornaments, Magnets, Notecards) Branded home goods including picnic blankets ($30), yellow and orange/blue ornaments ($6), magnets ($5), and notecard sets ($8). Sold via the online shop to support the nonprofit mission.
- Real Fruit Smoothies Fresh real fruit smoothies served at both cafe locations. Available in Original varieties (mango, strawberry, lemonade) and Real Fruit varieties (berry: mixed berries & banana; rainbow: avocado, mixed berries & spinach).
- La Flor Michoacana Popsicles Frozen popsicles sourced from La Flor Michoacana, available at both cafe locations in flavors including Oreo, coconut, passion fruit, strawberry, bubble gum, and lime.
- Matcha Drinks Matcha beverages served at both cafe locations, available hot or iced, sweetened or unsweetened, and customizable to customer preference.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 70% unemployment rate for adults with cognitive disabilities addressed through employment
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Kindness Cafe Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kindness Cafe Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Kindness Cafe Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and secondary.
- Brooks Family YMCAcoreHost site for the original Kindness Cafe location in the YMCA lobby. Co-hosts events and donation drives. YMCA closed during swim championships provides additional context on partnership.
- Building Goodness FoundationmajorConstruction partner for building out the second location at 480 Rugby Road. Previously worked on original location. Provides volunteer labor and building expertise.
- VMDO ArchitectsmajorArchitecture firm partner for second location design. Previously worked on original location. Known for community-focused design work.
- Grit Coffee CompanycoreLocal coffee roaster supplying beans for all Kindness beverages. Created a specialty 'Kindness Blend' roast exclusively for the cafe. Also supplies beans for cold brew program.
- Found.Market CocoreLocal bakery supplying baked goods sold at Kindness Cafe.
- La Flor MichoacanasecondarySupplier of popular popsicles sold at the cafe. Known locally as 'the BEST popsicles in Cville'.
- Innisfree VillagesecondaryCrafts and baked goods supplier. Handmade goods from Innisfree Village sold at Kindness and Holiday Markets.
- Arc of the PiedmontsecondaryArt Studio creates products sold at Kindness. Partner in disability employment ecosystem.
- Arc BarkssecondaryDog treats made by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Greensboro, NC. Sold at Kindness.
- The HavenmajorCharlottesville's multi-resource day shelter. Kindness hosts annual donation drives collecting socks, underwear, toiletries, and other necessities. Beanies are sold as Buy One Give One with donations to The Haven.
- Common Grounds buildingcoreBuilding owner at 480 Rugby Road near UVA campus. Houses the second Kindness location.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kindness Cafe Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Counter Culture Coffee: Specialty coffee roaster with regional training centers and cafe/wholesale partners. Comparable to Kindness as a specialty-coffee-driven organization with strong sustainability and education focus, but operating as a B-Corp-style roaster rather than a nonprofit retailer.
- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Established specialty coffee and tea chain with broad menu (coffees, teas, smoothies, baked goods) sold in retail storefronts. Comparable to Kindness's product mix and beverage-led format, but as a scaled incumbent without a mission-driven employment focus.
- Blue Bottle Coffee: Premium specialty coffee operator with cafe locations and a curated bean program. Comparable to Kindness's specialty coffee positioning (custom blends, single-origin emphasis) and cafe format, but operates at significantly larger scale without the disability-employment mission.
- Starbucks: Largest global coffee chain with broad beverage, food, and merchandise program, including community-store initiatives. Comparable to Kindness in coffee-and-merchandise retail model and Charlottesville-area footprint, but as a vastly larger incumbent without a disability-employment mission.
- Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster and cafe operator known for direct-trade sourcing and own retail shops. Comparable to Kindness in emphasizing local roaster partnerships (Grit Coffee), specialty single-origin offerings, and cafe retail, but at much greater scale.
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters: Specialty coffee roaster and cafe chain offering draft lattes, espresso, and branded merchandise. Comparable to Kindness's combined beverage-plus-merchandise retail format and specialty-coffee positioning, but at national scale.
Direct peers
- 1023 Coffee: Nonprofit-style coffee concept employing individuals from underserved populations, blending a retail coffee experience with a workforce-development mission. Comparable to Kindness in combining specialty coffee with a social-impact employment program.
- Bitty & Beau's Coffee: National coffee shop chain explicitly founded to employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operated as a social enterprise. The closest mission and operating model parallel to Kindness Cafe, with multiple locations versus Kindness's two.
- Sip of Hope Coffee: Nonprofit coffee shop where proceeds support mental health services; combines a retail cafe with a mission-driven funding model. Comparable to Kindness in blending coffee retail with charitable impact and community engagement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kindness Cafe Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceKindness Cafe Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kindness Cafe Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Kindness Cafe Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kindness Cafe Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kindness Cafe Inc.
What does Kindness Cafe Inc. do?
Kindness Cafe + Play operates a non-profit coffee shop providing meaningful employment for adults with cognitive disabilities while serving specialty coffee, smoothies, matcha drinks, popsicles, and baked goods to the local community. The core offering combines a neighborhood coffee shop experience with a mission-driven employment program, supported by branded merchandise sales (apparel, accessories, packaged coffee, gift cards) and tax-deductible donations that fund operations.
Is Kindness Cafe Inc. a public or private company?
Kindness Cafe Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Kindness Cafe Inc. founded?
Kindness Cafe Inc. was founded in 2020. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Kindness Cafe Inc. based?
Kindness Cafe Inc. is headquartered in Charlottesville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kindness Cafe Inc. make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Coffee and beverage sales are the primary driver. The others are food and baked goods, merchandise sales and donations and grants.
Who are Kindness Cafe Inc.'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Counter Culture Coffee, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Blue Bottle Coffee, Starbucks, Stumptown Coffee Roasters and La Colombe Coffee Roasters. Direct peers are 1023 Coffee, Bitty & Beau's Coffee and Sip of Hope Coffee.
Does Kindness Cafe Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kindness Cafe Inc..
What industry is Kindness Cafe Inc. in?
Kindness Cafe Inc.'s product category is Specialty Coffee Shop (Nonprofit). Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFADAA, Specialty Coffee Shops (Single-Origin, Third-Wave), with a secondary code of THAFADAC, Independent Neighborhood Cafes. Its NAICS code is 722515 and its SIC code is 5810.