Specialty Family Foundation
Specialty Family Foundation is a private foundation based in El Segundo, California. Its website describes a mission to alleviate the conditions that lead to persistent poverty, with investments in Catholic education, housing, substance use treatment and intervention, organizational capacity, and programs intended to transform individual lives. The 2020 filing is marked as a final return: it states that on January 1, 2021, this California nonprofit corporation merged into a Delaware nonprofit corporation of the same name, which survived and assumed its assets and liabilities. The foundation therefore appears to have wound down as the California filing entity; the available information does not establish the current status of the successor.
Specialty Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Specialty Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 55 grants in 2020 (avg $41K), mostly in California. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $2,241,622
- Grants made (2020)
- 55
- Average grant
- $40,757
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Specialty Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: 2260 E Maple Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Phone: (310) 535-9000
Website: HTTP://WWW.SPECIALTYFAMILYFOUNDATION.ORG/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Specialty Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Catholic Education Foundation ($348K). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($25,419), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
55 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 42 grants of 55 (76%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it focuses on Los Angeles County, prioritizing vulnerable children, transition-age youth, and families. In 2020, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California, 2% to Virginia, and less than 1% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 55 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Education Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Scholarships | $348,133 |
| Archdiocese of LA Los Angeles, CA | Operating/STEM | $335,000 |
| Prototypes Los Angeles, CA | Grant for Operational Activities | $200,000 |
| Shields for Families Los Angeles, CA | Substance Abuse Initiative | $200,000 |
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | Family Enrichment Program, Donation | $127,500 |
| Southern California Grantmakers Los Angeles, CA | Grant for Operational Activities | $90,000 |
| Safe Place for Youth Venice, CA | Grant for Operational Activities | $80,000 |
| St Francis Center Los Angeles, CA | Grant for Operational Activities, | $68,300 |
| Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA | Grant for Operational and PCI Bridge Plan Grant | $60,000 |
| Catholic Schools Collaborative Los Angeles, CA | Operating/STEM | $57,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $2,356,324 | $3,433,190 | $2,241,622 | 55 | $2,198,499 | $3,324,480 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Specialty Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.3M for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website says its work is rooted in the legacy of Jim and Joan Peter and centers on addressing persistent poverty, especially in Los Angeles County. It identifies Catholic education, housing, and substance use treatment and intervention as its core areas. Its website describes investments in systemic change, institutional capacity building, and programs that empower individuals.
The 2020 grants included organizations working in several related areas. SHIELDS for Families describes its mission as supporting family reunification and providing collaborative services to strengthen families in South Los Angeles. Safe Place for Youth says it works to prevent and end youth homelessness through supportive services, sustainable housing, collaboration, and advocacy. Catholic Schools Collaborative says it supports multi-school efforts in academics, operations, leadership, and parent engagement at lower-income Los Angeles Catholic schools. Homeboy Industries describes providing hope, training, and support to formerly incarcerated and formerly gang-involved people.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation reported 55 grants totaling $2,241,622. Grant amounts ranged from $320 to $348,133, with a median grant of $15,000.
Among the largest grants were $348,133 to Catholic Education Foundation for scholarships; $335,000 to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for operating support and STEM; $200,000 to Prototypes for operational activities; and $200,000 to SHIELDS for Families for a substance abuse initiative. Other notable grants included $127,500 to California Community Foundation, $90,000 to Southern California Grantmakers, and $80,000 to Safe Place for Youth.
The foundation’s website describes invitation-only applications and says it may occasionally accept submissions from organizations with unique and compelling proposals. However, the 2020 final filing states that the foundation made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. These application details are not presented as current instructions because the filing marks the entity’s return as final.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing listed Deborah A. Estes as family director and chair; Joan Carol Noneman as family director and secretary; James B. Peter Jr., Karen Peter, Christine Peter, Arthur L. Peter, and Regina Peter as family directors; Arthur L. Peter as treasurer; Robert Goldman and Bruce Willison as independent directors; and Joseph B. Womac as president.
Specialty Family Foundation is led by Joseph B. Womac, President on the 2020 filing; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2020 is compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Joseph B. Womac
President
New on the 2020 filing
40 hrs/week
$328K (2020)
Deborah A. Estes
Family Director & Chair
New on the 2020 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Arthur L. Peter
Family Director & Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Willison
Independent Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christine Peter
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James B. Peter Jr.
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Carol Noneman
Family Director & Secretary
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Peter
Family Director & Vice President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Estes
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina Peter
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Goldman
Independent Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Gard
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Val J. Peter
Family Director
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $328K, to Joseph B Womac (President).
Frequently asked questions about Specialty Family Foundation
How much does Specialty Family Foundation give each year?
Specialty Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 55 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is Specialty Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Specialty Family Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $15,000, and its average grant was $40,757, across 55 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Specialty Family Foundation give grants?
Specialty Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (26 grants), Santa Monica, CA (7 grants), Venice, CA (4 grants) and Pasadena, CA (2 grants).
Does Specialty Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 76% of Specialty Family Foundation's 2020 grants with a stated purpose (42 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Partnership Grants" (3 grants) and "Tuition Assistance and Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are Specialty Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Specialty Family Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Catholic Education Foundation ($348,133), Archdiocese of LA ($335,000) and Prototypes ($200,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($25,419), which are not listed by name. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
What does Specialty Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s website says its work is rooted in the legacy of Jim and Joan Peter and centers on addressing persistent poverty, especially in Los Angeles County. It identifies Catholic education, housing, and substance use treatment and intervention as its core areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Specialty Family Foundation?
Specialty Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check specialtyfamilyfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
How much is Specialty Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, Specialty Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Specialty Family Foundation's EIN?
Specialty Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4896662. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does Specialty Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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