Around the Community: The Global Artist’s Toolkit: Navigating Grants Regardless of Immigration Status

ARTogether is hosting The Global Artist’s Toolkit: Navigating Grants Regardless of Immigration Status online on Thursday, May 7th, from 4-5:30PM. RSVP AHEAD OF TIME IS REQUIRED. Attendance is free.

RSVP Here

A practical, empowering session for immigrant, undocumented, and BIPOC artists navigating today’s funding landscape. Learn what you’re actually eligible for, how to position your work in a shifting climate, and where to find grants, fellowships, and residencies right now.

In this workshop, you will learn:

  • The Truth About Grant Eligibility: Why most private foundations can legally fund you regardless of immigration status or work authorization, and how to advocate for inclusive policies.

  • The “DEI Pivot”: How to position your work for 2026. We’ll identify “power words” to help your applications land and which terms to retire as funders shift toward national heritage and community-impact themes.

  • Your 2026 Resource List: A curated guide to organizations that have increased funding for marginalized artists, including active California Arts Council opportunities and private fellowships.


The Facilitator:
Samina Ali is an award-winning author whose work explores faith, identity, and resilience. Her debut novel, Madras on Rainy Days, won France’s prestigious Prix Premier Roman Étranger and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her memoir, Pieces You’ll Never Get Back, recounts her near-fatal childbirth, revealing how her encounter with death reshaped her life—and offering a moving reflection on how we rebuild ourselves and our communities after everything falls apart. Named a “Most Anticipated Book of 2025” by multiple outlets including SF Chronicle, Pieces You’ll Never Get Back won the APALA Award for Best Nonfiction, was featured by the celebrity book club, Belletrist, and has been optioned for the screen.

Jason Bayanicommunity