Special Service for Groups Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Special Service for Groups, ("SSG"), is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing community-based solutions to the social and economic issues facing those in the greatest need. SSG has evolved into a model organization which is designed to provide service to diverse groups with maximum efficiency and impact. This is achieved by developing and managing programs which serve our many communities by encouraging their involvement and self-sufficiency. SSG believes that the needs of groups and individuals cross traditional ethnic, racial, and other cultural boundaries. SSG serves as a bridge between people with common needs to identify ways to pool resources for the greatest good of all.
- Income
- $264.2 million
- Spending
- $256.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -0.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 98%
- Employees
- 1,708
- Volunteers
- 415
- Highest pay
- $487,243, exec. director/secretary
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 64% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (human services, over $100m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $124.7 million spent. Homeless Services: Street outreach to homeless individuals, youth and families. Services include permanent and transitional housing placement, emergency shelter, case management, job training and transportation assistance. In addition, Homeless Services Programs includes a full service portal to serve individuals/families in South L.A. with multiple co-location sites to maximize outreach.
- $81.1 million spent. Mental Health Services: Prevention education and intervention, forensic social services, emotional and psychosocial support, outpatient mental health counseling service, assessment and follow-up treatment for children and family mental illness and substance abuse.
- $26.0 million spent. Job and Education: Access to Prevention Advocacy Intervention and Treatment (APAIT) is the most comprehensive provider of HIV/AIDS services for API in Southern California. Its history is rooted in advocacy and provides critical services to the most vulnerable in the community during times of crisis and when other support systems are difficult to access. APAIT was able to raise awareness about mental health and help educate individuals in the spirit of community.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 1952.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.