Tierra Del Sol

What Tierra Del Sol does

Tierra del Sol Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1971 in Sunland, California, that serves individuals with developmental disabilities through four interconnected programs: Workforce Development (placing associates in competitive employment at 31 local businesses), College to Career (supporting higher education at 8 partner colleges), Careers in the Arts (studio programming for 130+ career artists with exhibitions through the Tierra del Sol Gallery in West Hollywood), and Life Planning (resources and Special Needs Trust guidance for families). Operations are delivered across four physical locations — the Sunland headquarters and studio, Upland Art Studios, the West Hollywood gallery, and Tierra's Treasures thrift shop in Burbank — supported by 251–500 staff and a volunteer base placing associates at 160 nonprofit organizations.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by CEO Rebecca Lienhard and CDO Cathy Galarneau. There is no underlying technology product in the conventional sense; infrastructure is limited to standard nonprofit tooling (Constant Contact for email, ADP for HR, Shopify for art sales, and a WordPress-based web presence). The organization holds a Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency and has secured national media exposure via Hallmark Channel's Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.

Revenue is generated through five streams: charitable donations (one-time, monthly, Circle of Inspiration membership tiers ranging from $1,000 to $50,000+, and planned/legacy giving via the Legacy of Love Society), government grants and contracts (California Department of Developmental Services, LA County Department of Arts and Culture), special events and fundraisers (golf tournaments, Walk n' Roll, Dine for Tierra restaurant nights, online auctions), earned income from Tierra's Treasures thrift shop and venue rentals, and gallery art sales. Major institutional funders include The Ahmanson Foundation, QueensCare, Kaiser Permanente, and the Bonnie H. Hightower Revocable Trust. Geographic reach is concentrated in Los Angeles County and Southern California, with international art exhibition presence at Art Basel Basel in 2023.

Name

Tierra Del Sol

Legal name

Tierra del Sol Foundation

Website

https://tierradelsol.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Tierra del Sol Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1971 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities in Los Angeles County through Workforce Development, College to Career, Careers in the Arts, and Life Planning programs, funded primarily by charitable donations and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Developmental Disability Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Developmental disability services
• Workforce development programs
• Careers in the arts
• Nonprofit disability support
• Community inclusion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sunland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tierra del Sol relies heavily on community donations through various mechanisms including one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, Circle of Inspiration membership program, and matching gifts from employers. The organization also accepts cryptocurrency donations and planned giving through wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Funding from government sources including the California Department of Developmental Services and Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture. These public funding sources support the organization's core programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
3. Special Events and Fundraisers: Revenue generated through organized fundraising events including golf tournaments, virtual Walk n' Roll events, restaurant fundraisers (Dine for Tierra program), online auctions, and community events. These events also serve as marketing and community engagement opportunities.
4. Venue Rental and Thrift Shop Sales: Tierra's Treasures thrift shop at 3315 Burbank Blvd sells donated items with proceeds supporting programs. The organization also rents out its venue spaces for events.
5. Planned Giving and Legacy Donations: The Legacy of Love Society recognizes donors who have included Tierra del Sol in their estate plans. The organization accepts various planned giving vehicles including estate plan gifts, beneficiary designations, IRA transfers, and Special Needs Trust remainder beneficiaries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tierra del Sol Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates community-based programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, including Workforce Development (competitive employment placements at local businesses), College to Career (higher education support), and Careers in the Arts (studio arts and professional gallery exhibitions). Supporting operations include a thrift shop (Tierra's Treasures), a professional art gallery in West Hollywood, and venue rentals, all of which generate revenue to fund core programs.

Product overview

Tierra del Sol Foundation operates as a multi-service nonprofit organization serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The organization offers four interconnected core programs: Workforce Development, College to Career, Careers in the Arts, and Life Planning. The Careers in the Arts program includes professional studio spaces in Sunland and Upland, with works showcased through the Tierra del Sol Gallery in West Hollywood. Supporting services include venue rental and Tierra's Treasures thrift shop. The organization was founded in 1971 and serves the Los Angeles area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tierra del Sol Gallery: Art gallery showcasing works by artists with developmental disabilities, featuring both group and solo exhibitions at locations in Chinatown and West Hollywood.
• Careers in the Arts
• Workforce Development
• College to Career
• Tierra's Treasures
• Circle of Inspiration
• Legacy of Love Society
• Sunland Studio Arts
• Upland Art Studios

Products and services

• Workforce Development Community-based program that provides opportunities for associates with developmental disabilities to build skills needed to pursue competitive employment at local businesses, with 31 business partners offering competitively paid positions.
• College to Career Program supporting young adults with developmental disabilities in pursuing higher education at 8 local colleges, with structured transition to meaningful careers after graduation.
• Careers in the Arts Program providing professional studio space and development opportunities for 130+ artists with developmental disabilities to develop and share their talents, exhibiting locally, nationally, and globally through the Tierra del Sol Gallery.
• Tierra del Sol Gallery Professional art gallery located at 7414 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, showcasing and selling artwork by artists with developmental disabilities, with online sales available through tierradelsolgallery.myshopify.com.
• Venue Rental Rental of Tierra del Sol event spaces for community events and private functions, providing earned income to support core programs.
• Life Planning Resources, workshops, forums, and guidance for families and individuals with developmental disabilities on special needs trusts and future planning, including support from a dedicated Life Planning Navigator.
• Tierra's Treasures Thrift store at 3315 Burbank Blvd, Burbank, selling donated clothing, accessories, and household items with proceeds supporting Tierra del Sol's programs.

Named customers2 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and moderate.

• The Stand RestaurantminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Restaurant chain partnership for Dine for Tierra fundraising events where 20% of sales are donated to Tierra del Sol on designated fundraiser days.
• California Pizza KitchenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Restaurant partnership for Dine for Tierra fundraising events where percentage of sales are donated to support Tierra programs.
• BJ's Restaurant and BrewhouseminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Restaurant chain partnership for percentage-based fundraising events supporting Tierra del Sol programs.
• California Fish GrillminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Restaurant partnership for fundraising events where 25% of sales on designated days support Tierra del Sol.
• FatburgerminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Restaurant partnership for Dine for Tierra fundraising events.
• Hallmark ChannelmoderateGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Media partnership featured on Celebrations with Lacey Chabert show highlighting Tierra del Sol and CEO Rebecca Lienhard's community contributions.
• The Garland HotelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Venue partnership for Songs of Summer fundraising event.
• Moorpark Country ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Golf tournament venue partner for annual Tee Off for Tierra charity golf tournament.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Arc: National advocacy and direct-service organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with extensive chapter network delivering employment, education, and community integration programs comparable to Tierra del Sol's model.
• Easterseals: National nonprofit providing disability services including employment, education, and community-based programs. Comparable in mission focus on individuals with disabilities but operates at much larger national scale across many service lines.
• UCP (Center for Disability Rights/United Cerebral Palsy affiliates): National network of affiliates serving individuals with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities through employment, education, and community programs. Comparable service mix with a broader medical-disability scope.
• Special Olympics: Global organization providing sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, with substantial workforce and employer-engagement programming. Serves overlapping population but with sport/athletics as the primary engagement channel.

Direct peers

• Creative Growth Art Center: Oakland-based nonprofit operating a professional art studio and gallery for artists with developmental disabilities, exhibiting nationally and internationally. Closely comparable to Tierra del Sol's Careers in the Arts program and gallery model.
• SourceAmerica: National nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities through employer partnerships and AbilityOne contracts. Most directly comparable to Tierra del Sol's Workforce Development program model.
• Best Buddies International: National nonprofit focused on integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Comparable mission on competitive employment outcomes for the same population.
• The Jay Nolan Center: Southern California nonprofit providing person-centered services including employment, education, and community living supports for individuals with developmental disabilities. Direct regional competitor in Los Angeles service area.

Regional players

• AbilityFirst: Southern California-based nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities through employment, recreation, and residential programs. Direct regional overlap with Tierra del Sol in Los Angeles-area service delivery.

Others

• National Disability Institute: National nonprofit advancing economic security and employment for people with disabilities through policy, research, and financial empowerment programming. Ecosystem peer serving overlapping population via different delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TierradelSolFdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2496903

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Tierra Del Sol