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

We recognize that race, gender, and place intersect with and intensify the challenge of economic inequality and we address these dynamics by advancing an inclusive vision of economic justice. For over 25 years, EOP has focused on expanding individuals’ opportunities to connect to quality work, start businesses, and build economic stability that provides the freedom to pursue opportunity.

We collaborate with national and local leaders across the United States – nonprofit leaders, policymakers, labor leaders, business leaders, educators, academics, and more – and we actively seek input and ideas from individuals and communities affected by proposed approaches to address economic opportunity challenges. Through our leadership and fellowship programs; applied research and evaluation; data and analysis; and dialogue with diverse stakeholders, we work at both local and national levels to build understanding and galvanize action to address the challenge of economic opportunity in America.

Join our mailing list and follow us on social media for regular updates on our work.

Blog Posts

Resource Roundup: Life Beyond Work

Blog Posts

The Power to Shape What Comes Next: Writing the Future of Work Together

We get it right when we focus on fundamentals: recognize that job quality matters more than job quantity; center care work as essential to economic function; build coalitions across labor, technology policy, and civil society; understand that flexibility without security is precarity; remember that workers are also caregivers, creatives, and civic leaders.

Blog Posts

A Clear Path Forward: Catalyzing Success for Working Learners in Texas Nursing Programs

Forty-five dedicated leaders—representing nursing programs, critical hospital partners, regional workforce boards, and vital funder partners—convened in Austin.

Blog Posts

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Third Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

“We are delighted to welcome this new class of Fellows,” said UpSkill America Senior Director Haley Glover. “Supporting these leaders, who are joining a thriving community of alumni, to advance in their work and careers creating real value for their organizations and opportunities for their workforces is so rewarding. This is an incredibly impressive group.”

Blog Posts Of Interest

National Job Quality Practitioner Survey

We’re in the last month of our #JobQuality survey. If your org is improving #JobQuality, add your voice to this survey from The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program by December 31st.

Blog Posts

Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership

Blog Posts

Job Quality Newsletter – Low Quality, High Costs

In this edition of the Job Quality Newsletter, we unpack why manufacturing jobs are often seen as desirable yet don’t consistently deliver on that promise, highlight research that shows how efforts to strengthen businesses can also improve the quality of jobs they provide, and consider how government purchasing power can be used to set higher job standards across the sector.

Blog Posts
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Monthly Digest — October 2025

We are pleased to present a selection of our work from the past month.

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.

Join Our Mailing List

To receive occasional emails about our work — including new publications, commentary, events, fellowships, and more — join our mailing list.

Connect on Social Media

For news and updates every day, connect with us on the social media platform of your choice.

More from the Economic Opportunities Program

Blog Posts

Resource Roundup: Life Beyond Work

Publications

Shared Success Evaluation Results

This endline evaluation of the Shared Success demonstration aims to understand the impact of the work of the 11 community lenders who integrated job quality programming into their small business support services.

Blog Posts

The Power to Shape What Comes Next: Writing the Future of Work Together

We get it right when we focus on fundamentals: recognize that job quality matters more than job quantity; center care work as essential to economic function; build coalitions across labor, technology policy, and civil society; understand that flexibility without security is precarity; remember that workers are also caregivers, creatives, and civic leaders.

Blog Posts

A Clear Path Forward: Catalyzing Success for Working Learners in Texas Nursing Programs

Forty-five dedicated leaders—representing nursing programs, critical hospital partners, regional workforce boards, and vital funder partners—convened in Austin.

Blog Posts

UpSkill America & Guild Announce Third Cohort of Education and Career Mobility Fellowship

“We are delighted to welcome this new class of Fellows,” said UpSkill America Senior Director Haley Glover. “Supporting these leaders, who are joining a thriving community of alumni, to advance in their work and careers creating real value for their organizations and opportunities for their workforces is so rewarding. This is an incredibly impressive group.”

Blog Posts Of Interest

National Job Quality Practitioner Survey

We’re in the last month of our #JobQuality survey. If your org is improving #JobQuality, add your voice to this survey from The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program by December 31st.

Blog Posts

Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership