Los Angeles nonprofit SSG runs on $260 million of public grants amid fraud concerns
Special Service for Groups (SSG) received roughly $260 million of government grants in FY 2025, accounting for about 98.5% of its $264 million revenue, and is tied to businessman Alexander Soofer, who is on trial for allegedly diverting public homeless-service funds.
Special Service for Groups (SSG) is a Los Angeles-area nonprofit that reported $264 million in revenue for fiscal year 2025, with about $260 million—roughly 98.5%—derived from government grants. The organization, created in 1993, runs numerous divisions including the Asian and Pacific Islander Forward Movement and Access to Prevention Advocacy Intervention & Treatment, delivering services ranging from behavioral health to HIV/AIDS support.
Its funding surged after the passage of Measure H in 2017 and Measure A in 2024, jumping from $167 million in 2023 to $264 million in 2025. SSG has been awarded a former motel in South Los Angeles for conversion into supportive housing, yet the property remains stripped and fenced off. A major financial partner, Alexander Soofer, is awaiting trial on multiple fraud counts, with prosecutors alleging he diverted $10 million of public homeless-service funds to personal use. SSG’s financial disclosures show minimal transparency compared with government agencies, and attempts by journalists to obtain comment have been blocked.
Why it matters
The story shows how a nonprofit can channel massive public funds with limited oversight, raising accountability and fraud risks.
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