Publications & Events

BOI shares findings from its research, evaluation, and peer learning activities in a variety of formats. Our publications share emerging and best practices, document data findings, and identify critical industry and market trends. Browse our publication topics below, or search our full list of publications here.

We also host public events and webinars that highlight industry trends, share research results, and illuminate strategies for addressing issues relating to business ownership and economic opportunity. Many of our events are co-sponsored with our colleague programs at the Aspen Institute.

Explore the Archive

All Publications from the Business Ownership Initiative

Leading the Pack, On Par or Shaky?: Benchmarking Loan Program Performance
Publications

Leading the Pack, On Par or Shaky?: Benchmarking Loan Program Performance

One of the hallmarks of a high-performing organization is that its decision-making is informed by data.

Building Businesses by Building Credit
Publications

Building Businesses by Building Credit

With the continued challenge of poor credit quality stemming from the financial crisis, many organizations have looked to new approaches to serve clients who want to grow or start a business but are hampered by poor or nonexistent credit.

The State of Business Development Services 
Publications

The State of Business Development Services 

Documents the scale and scope of business development services work by U.S. MDOs as of 2010.

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2010
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Highlights, Fiscal Year 2010

Released in 2012, the US Microenterprise Census Highlights of 2010 include data from 366 microenterprise organizations across the country.

US Microenterprise Census Fast Facts, Fiscal Year 2010
Publications

US Microenterprise Census Fast Facts, Fiscal Year 2010

Access key data and extrapolations on the U.S. microenterprise industry in this concise 2 page fact sheet

Micro Jobs, Fast Facts
Publications

Micro Jobs, Fast Facts

This fact sheet summarizes the experience of entrepreneurs in 2009 that were surveyed by 21 microenterprise programs in 2010.

Distance Learning and the Changing Face of Business Development Services
Publications

Distance Learning and the Changing Face of Business Development Services

A long-time challenge facing microenterprise programs is how to reach out to larger numbers of entrepreneurs efficiently despite the distance in proximity to a program office.

Using a Brands Strategy for Scaling Business Development Services 
Publications

Using a Brands Strategy for Scaling Business Development Services 

FIELD’s case study of a brands strategy employed on behalf of both producer and retailer entrepreneurs examines Southeastern Ohio’s ACEnet and its experience creating three brands in the food and arts sectors.

Is the Price Right? The Role of Pricing in Microenterprise Lending
Publications

Is the Price Right? The Role of Pricing in Microenterprise Lending

This guide explores the issues relating to the pricing of microenterprise loans that funders may want to consider as they engage with lenders.

Data that Works
Publications

Data that Works

Getting a handle on what data an organization needs, how to store that information and how to use it are core capacities for a nonprofit microenterprise program.

Findings from the Scale Academy – Innovating to Scale
Publications

Findings from the Scale Academy – Innovating to Scale

How do microenterprise development organizations scale up their microlending and business development services?

About the Business Ownership Initiative

The Business Ownership Initiative, an initiative of the Economic Opportunities Program, works to build understanding and strengthen the role of business ownership as an economic opportunity strategy.

About the Economic Opportunities Program

The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program advances strategies, policies, and ideas to help low- and moderate-income people thrive in a changing economy.

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More from the Business Ownership Initiative

Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders
Podcasts Videos

Metrics that Matter: Improving Financial Analysis of CDFI Small Business Lenders

CDFI boards, leadership teams, investors, and regulators have long relied on a familiar set of financial metrics to assess organizational performance.

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response
Publications

From Crisis to Continuity: Optimizing CDFI Capital and Partnerships for Natural Disaster Response

Traditional emergency aid through SBA or FEMA takes time, and lower-income communities often face significant approval hurdles. Speed is essential to business survival.

The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)
Videos

The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability (Highlight reel)

VIDEO — Highlight reel from “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership
Videos

The Changing Role of Small Business Ownership

VIDEO — This discussion is the first of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions
Videos

Main Street Challenges and Policy Solutions

VIDEO — This discussion is the third of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI
Videos

Innovations Driving Small Business Lending Forward: It’s Not All About AI

VIDEO — This discussion is the second of three that took place as part of “The New Era of Small Business Finance: Access, AI, and Accountability,” a forum hosted by the Aspen Institute’s Business Ownership Initiative and the Responsible Business Lending Coalition on March 5, 2026.

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders
Blog Posts

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders

Nonprofit lenders often deploy funds faster than the government but need more capital to meet demand.

Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&A
Publications

Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&A

This Q&A provides insights and lessons from the work of 11 CDFIs that participated in Shared Success, a job quality demonstration led by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP).