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.

Exploring the Promise of Guaranteed Income
Blog Posts

Exploring the Promise of Guaranteed Income

New economic models have emerged from times of crisis, how we can imagine a better, more inclusive economy built around human rights.

Promotional image for the Aspen Institute’s Microlending Accelerator Program. The text reads, “Apply now to the Microlending Accelerator Program. Open to CDFIs. Learn more: as.pn/map”. In addition to the text and logo, the image features a photo of a Black small business owner in a café, standing in front of an espresso machine and smiling toward the camera.
Blog Posts

Two New BOI Resources on Scaling Lending to Entrepreneurs of Color

Applications are now open for our Microlending Accelerator Program, and we released a new brief on scaling lending to entrepreneurs of color.

Group of garment workers
Blog Posts

Building and Sustaining Worker Cooperatives in the US

Cooperatives are more resilient to economic shocks, experience lower turnover, and have higher productivity levels.

The Standoff Between Workers and Their Bosses Is Set To Heat Up in 2023
Blog Posts

The Standoff Between Workers and Their Bosses Is Set To Heat Up in 2023

Roundtable facilitator Prof. Thomas Kochan and other labor experts anticipate major labor milestones in the U.S. private sector in the year ahead. Read full article at Time.com by Alana Semuels.

Workers reviewing blueprints in manufacturing plant
Blog Posts

How Placing Trust in Workers Can Improve Jobs, Businesses, and the Economy

Trust is a critical piece of the employer-worker relationship.

2023-2024 Local Workforce Leadership Academy Partners
Blog Posts

2023-2024 Local Workforce Leadership Academy Partners

The Academies bring together leaders to deepen networks, strengthen leadership, advance equity, and promote effective strategies and programs.

Centering Workers in Workforce Development
Blog Posts Longform

Centering Workers in Workforce Development

The Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance collaborates with employers and stakeholders to boost employment, earnings, and equity for local workers.

Lessons and Leadership To Foster Economic Justice for Illinois Workers
Blog Posts Longform

Lessons and Leadership To Foster Economic Justice for Illinois Workers

LEP trains workers to promote equity, enforce rights, build unions, develop leaders, ensure workplace safety, and advance economic justice.

A Beneficial Union
Blog Posts

A Beneficial Union

As organized labor gains clout in U.S. workplaces, business leaders can partner with unions to harness the potential of the workforce.

Black Americans at election voting booth
Blog Posts

This Election Day, Job Quality Is on the Ballot

Voters will weigh in on three issues: minimum wages, collective bargaining rights, and involuntary prison labor.

Photo of Katie Belous, Kim Hanes, and Miguel Fernandez
Blog Posts

Phoenix Fellows Collaborate on AI Writing Course

Phoenix Fellows from three institutions collaborated on a new writing course package with exposure to AI, cybersecurity, and drone technology.

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 Economic Opportunities Program

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings
Publications

Foundational Skills: National Survey Findings

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

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Podcasts Videos

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

This conversation is part of our Opportunity in America series, where we take a look at the economy, what’s working, what’s broken, and really how we fix it to make sure that everyone can succeed in today’s economy.

Resource Roundup: Wages and Affordability
Blog Posts
Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis
Publications

Room for Growth: A Survey of Upskilling Approaches — 2026 Analysis

This publication examines how fragmented skills, credentialing, and workforce data systems limit the potential of skills-based hiring and advancement, and outlines a shared vision for building the interoperable infrastructure needed to create a connected skills ecosystem that benefits workers, employers, educators, and governments.

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes
Podcasts Videos

Building Economic Security: A Book Talk with Arindrajit Dube and Carrie Joy Grimes

Economic security shouldn’t be a lottery. Yet for millions of working families, stagnant wages and precarious jobs collide with the daily grind of managing money on shaky ground — leaving stability feeling less like a plan and more like a gamble. Fixing that takes more than one lever. It takes structural reform and the tools people need to take control of their financial lives, working together.

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers
Publications

What Employee Ownership Means to Workers

Insights from Focus Groups with Employee Owners