Building Guaranteed Income for the Persian-American Community
A practical guide for nonprofits and practitioners to design, launch, and sustain guaranteed income programs tailored to the needs of Persian Americans.
What Is Guaranteed Income?
Guaranteed income is a regular, unconditional cash payment provided directly to individuals or families — no strings attached. Unlike traditional public assistance programs, participants decide how to spend the funds based on their own priorities, whether that means rent, food, childcare, education, or any other need.
Why the Persian-American Community?
Approximately 1.5 million Persian Americans live across the United States, with large concentrations in California, Virginia, Texas, and New York. The community spans a wide range of immigration statuses, economic backgrounds, and cultural experiences. Many face unique barriers to accessing public benefits — from cultural stigma around receiving assistance to complex immigration status questions — making guaranteed income an especially powerful and accessible tool for this population.
Your Step-by-Step Guide
Six chapters to help you build a culturally grounded, community-trusted program.
Understand the Community
Learn the demographics, immigration landscape, and economic realities of Persian Americans.
Design Your Program
Set eligibility criteria, payment amounts, duration, and identify target groups.
Engage Residents
Use culturally competent outreach to reach and build trust with Persian-American families.
Administer the Program
Manage enrollment, protect participant data, and provide supportive casework.
Payment Experience
Navigate banking barriers and create a smooth, dignified payment process.
Build a Coalition
Form regional partnerships to amplify collective impact across your community.
Ready to Build a Coalition?
Amplify your impact by joining or forming a regional coalition of guaranteed income programs. Learn how to share resources, build advocacy capacity, and sustain long-term change together.
Coalition Guide