Telacu
TELACU is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit Community Development Corporation founded in 1968, operating through 12+ for-profit subsidiaries in construction management, affordable real estate development, community banking, and a college-success Education Foundation serving low-income and first-generation communities across California.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Telacu does
TELACU is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) founded in 1968 through bipartisan federal legislation, operating as a holding entity for the TELACU Family of Companies. The parent nonprofit owns and operates TELACU Industries, a for-profit holding company that owns 12+ subsidiaries spanning four core business divisions: Construction & Construction Management (TELACU Construction Management, Pyramid Services, Weatherization/Inter-City Energy Systems, South Coast Shingle), Real Estate Development (TELACU Development, TELACU HUD 202 Senior Housing, TELACU Real Estate Services across family, senior, multi-family, mixed-use, and commercial/industrial properties), Real Estate Management (TELACU Residential Management and TELACU Property Management), and Financial Services (Community Commerce Bank and New Markets Community Capital). The organization also operates the TELACU Education Foundation, a separate nonprofit providing college readiness, college success, and graduate fellowship programs serving 2,000 students annually with 14,000+ cumulative scholars placed at 90+ universities.
The company's revenue model is diversified across multiple streams: construction management fees from public agencies ($4.25 billion in completed construction since 1995), affordable housing rental income and property management fees, banking services revenue from Community Commerce Bank, below-market loan interest and tax credit allocation fees from New Markets Community Capital (via federal New Markets Tax Credits), wholesale building materials from South Coast Shingle, weatherization services revenue, restaurant revenue from Tamayo, and corporate/foundation donations funding the Education Foundation. Housing pricing is income-based (30% of adjusted gross income under HUD Section 202/8). Customers span public agencies (cities, school districts, community colleges, military facilities), low-income seniors and families in affordable housing, small businesses and unbanked families, and first-generation college students. Strategic partners include Toyota (largest corporate partner since 2007), 90+ universities, the U.S. Treasury, HUD, U.S. Department of Education (TRiO programs), and California Department of Housing and Community Development.
The company is family-controlled, led by Founder & Chairman Dr. David C. Lizárraga and President & CEO Dr. Michael Lizárraga, with no institutional investors, PE backing, or public ownership. Operations are concentrated in Southern California with NMTC-enabled multi-state activity. The differentiated operating model — the "TELACU Model" — uses profitable for-profit subsidiaries to cross-subsidize nonprofit community programs, creating a double bottom line of profitability and social impact that has sustained the organization across 57 years and through multiple economic cycles.
Telacu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Telacu
- Legal name
- TELACU
- Website
- https://telacu.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- TELACU is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit Community Development Corporation founded in 1968, operating through 12+ for-profit subsidiaries in construction management, affordable real estate development, community banking, and a college-success Education Foundation serving low-income and first-generation communities across California.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Telacu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Development Services
- NAICS
- Residential Building Construction (2361), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction (IMAFABAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans) (FSALAKAF), Housing Facilities Management (Repairs, Custodial & Grounds Liaison) (EDALACAE)
Keywords
Where Telacu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
Telacu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Real Estate Development: TELACU develops residential (family, senior, multi-family, mixed-use) and commercial/industrial properties. Revenue generated from property sales, leasing, and development fees.
- Construction Management Services: TELACU Construction Management provides construction management services for public works projects including schools, public buildings, municipalities, and parks. Completed over $4.25 billion of construction as program manager, construction manager, or general contractor.
- Property Management: TELACU Residential Management and TELACU Property Management manage affordable rental housing portfolios. Revenue from property management fees and oversight services.
- Community Lending / New Markets Tax Credits: New Markets Community Capital utilizes NMTC Program to provide financing for urban community investments. Revenue from loan interest and tax credit allocations.
- Education Foundation Programs: TELACU Education Foundation provides scholarships and educational support programs funded by corporate partners, foundations, and donations.
- Senior Housing Development: Development and operation of affordable senior housing units under HUD Section 202/8 programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Toyota/TELACU Scholarship - Awards up to $5,000 for undergraduate students in STEAM or Business disciplines |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Telacu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TELACU develops and manages affordable housing (family, senior, multi-family, mixed-use, commercial/industrial), provides construction management services for public works projects, operates community banking and New Markets Tax Credit financing through Community Commerce Bank and New Markets Community Capital, and runs the TELACU Education Foundation delivering college readiness, college success, scholarships, and TRiO programs for first-generation students.
Product overview
TELACU operates as a Community Development Corporation with a diversified Family of Companies organized into four main divisions: Real Estate Development (including TELACU Development, Senior Housing, Mixed-Use Housing, and Commercial/Industrial Development), Construction & Construction Management (TELACU TCM, Pyramid Services, Weatherization/Inter-City Energy Systems, and South Coast Shingle), Real Estate Management (TELACU Residential Management and TELACU Property Management), and Financial Services (Community Commerce Bank and New Markets Community Capital). The TELACU Education Foundation operates as a separate nonprofit entity providing educational programs including the College Success Program, College Readiness Program, Toyota/TELACU Scholarship, David C. Lizárraga Fellowship, and TRiO programs (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Veterans Upward Bound). The organization also operates TELACU Music as a cultural initiative. The portfolio is held under TELACU Industries, a for-profit holding company that generates the economic means to sustain the nonprofit entities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Toyota/TELACU Scholarship: Scholarship program providing up to $5,000 for undergraduate students pursuing degrees in Business or STEAM, sponsored by Toyota as the Foundation's largest corporate partner since 2007.
- David C. Lizárraga Fellowship
- College Success Program
- College Readiness Program
Products and services
- TELACU Real Estate Development
Quantifiable outcome
- 99% high school graduation and post-secondary enrollment rate
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Telacu
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Telacu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Telacu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- 90+ Colleges and UniversitiescoreTELACU has established partnerships with over 90 colleges and universities including Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Fullerton, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and others. These partnerships leverage scholarship funds to maximize impact and ensure scholars have sufficient funding to earn degrees. Partnerships include Arizona State University, Boston University, Brown University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Harvard University, MIT, Stanford, Yale, and many more prestigious institutions.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Telacu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is one of the largest US Community Development Financial Institutions, financing affordable housing, education, and community development nationwide. It is directly comparable to TELACU as a multi-subsidiary CDC with lending, real estate, and education programs.
- Abode Communities: Abode Communities is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator. Comparable to TELACU's California-focused affordable housing development and property management operations.
- Enterprise Community Partners: Enterprise is a national nonprofit that develops and preserves affordable housing, provides capital through CDFIs, and runs educational programs. Closely comparable to TELACU's affordable housing development, community lending, and resident services model.
- BRIDGE Housing: BRIDGE Housing is a California-based nonprofit developer and manager of affordable and mixed-income housing. Direct peer to TELACU's residential development and property management activities in California.
- National Community Renaissance (National CORE): National CORE is a California-based nonprofit affordable housing developer with a large Southern California portfolio. Comparable to TELACU's affordable housing development, senior housing, and family housing programs.
- Mercy Housing: Mercy Housing is a nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator with a national portfolio. Directly comparable to TELACU's affordable housing development, property management, and supportive services for seniors and families.
- Century Housing: Century Housing is a California nonprofit CDFI and affordable housing developer. Comparable to TELACU's CDFI lending and affordable housing development activities.
Broad incumbents
- Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity is the largest nonprofit affordable housing developer globally. Broader incumbent in the same space, offering comparable affordable and workforce housing programs but at national scale beyond TELACU's footprint.
Emerging players
- United Negro College Fund (UNCF): UNCF is a national education-focused nonprofit providing scholarships and college readiness programs for underrepresented students. Comparable to TELACU Education Foundation's scholarship, college readiness, and college success mission.
Regional players
- Habematolek Pomo Housing / Self-Help Enterprises: Self-Help Enterprises is a California Central Valley-focused nonprofit affordable housing developer and water/wastewater service provider. Comparable to TELACU's affordable housing development model but with a more regional Central Valley focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Telacu social profiles
Digital presenceTelacu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Telacu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
Telacu subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries13 records
Telacu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Telacu 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 Telacu
What does Telacu do?
TELACU develops and manages affordable housing (family, senior, multi-family, mixed-use, commercial/industrial), provides construction management services for public works projects, operates community banking and New Markets Tax Credit financing through Community Commerce Bank and New Markets Community Capital, and runs the TELACU Education Foundation delivering college readiness, college success, scholarships, and TRiO programs for first-generation students.
Is Telacu a public or private company?
Telacu is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Telacu founded?
Telacu was founded in 1968. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Telacu based?
Telacu is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Telacu make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Real Estate Development is the primary driver. The others are construction Management Services, property Management, community Lending / New Markets Tax Credits, education Foundation Programs and senior Housing Development.
Who are Telacu's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Abode Communities, Enterprise Community Partners, BRIDGE Housing, National Community Renaissance (National CORE), Mercy Housing and Century Housing. Habitat for Humanity International is listed as a broad incumbent. United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is listed as an emerging player. Habematolek Pomo Housing / Self-Help Enterprises is listed as a regional player.
Does Telacu have an API?
No public API is recorded for Telacu.
What industry is Telacu in?
Telacu's product category is Community Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAI, Residential Affordable Housing Development & Construction, with a secondary code of FSALAKAF, Affordable Rental & Multifamily Housing Finance Programs (LIHTC/Tax Credits/Subsidized Loans). Its NAICS code is 2361 and its SIC code is 7340.