Special Service for Groups Inc
Special Service for Groups Inc (SSG) is a public charity based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1952, it provides community-based health and human services and also makes grants to organizations. Its services are directed toward diverse and underserved communities across Southern California and San Francisco.
Special Service for Groups Inc at a glance
In short: Special Service for Groups Inc gave $18.2M across 50 grants in 2025 (avg $365K), mostly in California. 4% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $18,233,829
- +16.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 50
- -12.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $364,677
- +32.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $100,567
- Total assets
- $137,641,471
- +12.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (2 of 50, 2025)
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Special Service for Groups Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 905 E 8Th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Phone: (213) 553-1800
Website: https://ssg.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Special Service for Groups Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was La Global Care ($4.9M). Together the top 10 received $13.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
226 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 81 grants of 226 (36%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SSG’s website describes services at sites across Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Antelope Valley, the Inland Empire, and San Francisco, and its strategic-planning materials describe service to multiethnic groups across Southern California and San Francisco. All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 50 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Special Service for Groups Inc open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 50 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $360K; repeat grants $365K. How we count
Medians: $360K first-time, $101K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10.4M (2021) to $18.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 50 grants totaling $18.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| La Global Care Los Angeles, CA | Housing services for homeless families and individuals | $4,926,415 |
| Abundant Blessings From Above Inc Los Angeles, CA | Supportive services for families | $3,697,021 |
| Connections For Women Inc Los Angeles, CA | Housing services for homeless women | $1,416,415 |
| Motorcycle Riders For Homeless Parolees Los Angeles, CA | Housing services for homeless parolees | $812,056 |
| Cambobian Association Of America Long Beach, CA | Supportive services for families | $680,993 |
| Shields For Families Project Inc Los Angeles, CA | Supportive services for families | $565,775 |
| Koreatown Youth And Community Center Los Angeles, CA | Supportive services for families | $471,562 |
| Trusted Caregiver And Consulting Services LLC Cerritos, CA | Behavioral health services | $456,389 |
| Pacific Asian Counseling Services Los Angeles, CA | Supportive services for families | $426,752 |
| Testimonial Community Love Center Los Angeles, CA | Housing services for homeless | $417,471 |
Ready to take the next step with Special Service for Groups Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $137,641,471 | $264,215,489 | $256,367,088 | $18,233,829 | 50 |
| 2024 | $122,745,264 | $223,200,666 | $211,544,066 | $15,664,257 | 57 |
| 2023 | $102,722,662 | $169,949,256 | $167,777,147 | $14,938,913 | 57 |
| 2022 | $53,471,000 | $149,101,171 | $147,015,452 | $10,489,971 | 29 |
| 2021 | $48,656,435 | $152,742,023 | $141,286,215 | $10,414,725 | 33 |
| 2020 | $46,227,129 | $133,158,008 | $130,567,365 | $11,778,188 | 29 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SSG’s mission is to provide community-based solutions to social and economic issues facing people in greatest need. It says it develops and manages programs for diverse groups, recognizing that needs cross ethnic, racial, and other cultural boundaries.
Its 2025 grants included housing services for people experiencing homelessness, supportive services for families, and behavioral health services. Grantees included organizations with varied missions: LA Global Care describes its work as providing temporary housing for individuals and families without housing; Connections For Women says it provides emergency and crisis housing for homeless families; and Motorcycle Riders for Homeless Parolees says it works with people facing homelessness in the Los Angeles area, with a goal of reducing recidivism and supporting self-sufficiency. Other grantees describe work in community services for immigrant and economically disadvantaged communities, culturally relevant mental health and social services, and the health and civil rights of South Asians in Southern California.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, SSG reported 50 grants totaling $18,233,829. Grant amounts ranged from $5,500 to $4,926,415, with a median of $100,567. The largest awards included $4,926,415 to LA Global Care for housing services for homeless families and individuals; $3,697,021 to Abundant Blessings From Above Inc for supportive services for families; and $1,416,415 to Connections For Women Inc for housing services for homeless women.
Other notable 2025 grants included $812,056 to Motorcycle Riders for Homeless Parolees for housing services for homeless parolees; $680,993 to Cambodian Association of America and $565,775 to Shields for Families Project Inc for supportive services for families; and $456,389 to Trusted Caregiver and Consulting Services LLC for behavioral health services.
No application process, application materials, restrictions, or deadline are stated in the available information.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John M. Eckman as President, Donna Mills as 1st Vice President, Glen H. Pacheco as Treasurer, and Herbert Hatanaka as Executive Director/Secretary. It also lists Fernando del Rio, Donald A. Kincey, Henry C. Wong, Sanjay Chhugani, and Herbert Hatanaka as board members, along with Beth De Los Santos as Director of Finance and Hayley Levy as Director of Administration.
Special Service for Groups Inc is led by Herbert Hatanaka, Executive Director & Secretary on every filing since 2020; 14 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Herbert Hatanaka
Executive Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$342K (2020) → $460K (2025)
John M Eckman
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Antonia Diaz
Hr Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$197K (2020) → $331K (2025)
Beth De Los Santos
Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$268K (2020) → $431K (2025)
Brett J Sevilla
Medical Director
Doctor → Medical Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$311K (2020) → $395K (2025)
Emily Bell
Division Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$164K (2020) → $370K (2025)
Hayley Levy
Director of Administrator
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$248K (2020) → $422K (2025)
JaeHoon Oh
Medical Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$300K (2020) → $348K (2025)
Sheila Tsai Wu
Division Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$167K (2020) → $355K (2025)
Veronica Lewis
Division Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$190K (2020) → $224K (2025)
Suzanne Afuso Sugano
Division Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$160K (2021) → $264K (2025)
June Kyung Park
Division Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$245K (2023) → $296K (2025)
Naomi Kageyama
Director of Risk Management
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$238K (2023) → $290K (2025)
Kelvin Driscoll
Division Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$280K (2025)
Benjamiin Shin
Assistant Medical Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$362K (2025)
Donald A Kincey
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donna Mills
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President → 1st Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fernando del Rio
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Glen H Pacheco
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry C Wong Esq.
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sanjay Chhugani
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Donna Wong Esq. (2020–2024) — 1st Vice President
- Former: Elizabeth Berger (2022–2024) — Director of Development
- Former: Yvonne Sun (2023–2024) — Division Director
- Former: Michael Mentari (2020–2021) — Psychiatrist
- Former: Trang Hoang (2020–2021) — Division Director
- Former: Gene Yen (2020) — Psychiatrist
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $460K, to Herbert Hatanaka (Exec. Director/Secretary). 14 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Special Service for Groups Inc
How much does Special Service for Groups Inc give each year?
Special Service for Groups Inc gave $18.2M across 50 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $15.7M across 57 grants.
What is Special Service for Groups Inc's typical grant size?
Special Service for Groups Inc's median grant in 2025 was $100,567, and its average grant was $364,677, across 50 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Special Service for Groups Inc that year got $360K on average.
Where does Special Service for Groups Inc give grants?
Special Service for Groups Inc gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (25 grants), Long Beach, CA (3 grants) and Van Nuys, CA (2 grants).
Does Special Service for Groups Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 50 grants with a stated purpose on Special Service for Groups Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Supportive services for individuals" (19 grants), "Supportive services for families" (12 grants) and "Behavioral health services" (8 grants).
Who are Special Service for Groups Inc's largest grantees?
Special Service for Groups Inc's largest 2025 grantees include La Global Care ($4,926,415), Abundant Blessings From Above Inc ($3,697,021) and Connections For Women Inc ($1,416,415), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Special Service for Groups Inc?
Special Service for Groups Inc reported $137.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $264.2M.
What does Special Service for Groups Inc fund?
SSG’s mission is to provide community-based solutions to social and economic issues facing people in greatest need. It says it develops and manages programs for diverse groups, recognizing that needs cross ethnic, racial, and other cultural boundaries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Special Service for Groups Inc?
Special Service for Groups Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ssg.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Special Service for Groups Inc's EIN?
Special Service for Groups Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-1716914. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Special Service for Groups Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way Inc
Los Angeles, CA
United Way of Greater Los Angeles funds local organizations working on homelessness and crisis needs, housing, community wealth building, and community college success in L.A. County. Its 2025 grants ranged from $9,350 to $585,000, with a median grant of $73,000. The Prosperity Fund is closed to new applications; other listed opportunities are targeted, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$182.5M
Grants
82
Total Given
$8.8M
California Community Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The California Community Foundation supports nonprofits through discretionary and donor-directed grants, with discretionary priorities including education, health, housing and immigration, alongside other areas such as arts, civic engagement and economic opportunity. Its 2025 grants had a median of $50,000, and its work is focused on Los Angeles County; prospective discretionary applicants are asked to contact the relevant program officer before submitting a letter of intent.
Assets
$2.3B
Grants
2,174
Total Given
$326.6M
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Oakland, CA
Kaiser Foundation Hospitals funds health care access and services, community health, health education, and related work, with priorities including mental and behavioral health, housing, and income and employment. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely; most grant dollars went to California, with some going elsewhere. In Southern California, it says it does not accept unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals and awards grants through competitive processes to pre-identified organizations.
Assets
$87.4B
Grants
1,122
Total Given
$225.4M
Weingart Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The Weingart Foundation funds Southern California nonprofits, collaboratives, and coalitions advancing racial, social, and economic justice, including work on essential services, community power, housing, immigrant rights, and nonprofit effectiveness. Its 2025 grants ranged from $75 to $1.5 million, with a median of $10,000; it focuses on Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$909.4M
Grants
540
Total Given
$38.1M
Shelter Partnership Inc
Los Angeles, CA
Shelter Partnership supports community organizations and public agencies addressing homelessness, affordable housing, and related services, primarily in Los Angeles County. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,012 to $330,000, with a median of about $25,600. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$21.3M
Grants
202
Total Given
$7.7M
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Special Service for Groups Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/special-service-for-groups-inc-morg_7983ecca63db4071ab53aa40c402e059
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_951716914_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Special Service for Groups Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/special-service-for-groups-inc-morg_7983ecca63db4071ab53aa40c402e059},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
} The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Special Service for Groups Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Special Service for Groups Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?