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.

We protect individuals from predatory lending practices — why not small businesses too?
Blog Posts

We protect individuals from predatory lending practices — why not small businesses too?

Small businesses are critical to our economy, and they deserve the same basic standards of transparency and fairness that consumers now have.

Upskilling in the News: Google and Social Finance Launch $100 Million Career Certificates Fund to Support Learners in Underserved Communities
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Google and Social Finance Launch $100 Million Career Certificates Fund to Support Learners in Underserved Communities

The partnership with Social Finance will help learners in underserved communities earn industry-recognized credentials in data, IT, design, and more.

Photo of the sign outside Dollywood
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Herschend Enterprises Launches 100% Free Education Program for Employees

The new offering includes more than 100 diploma, degree, and certificate programs—all 100% free to Herschend Enterprises’ 11,000 employees.

Photo of a smiling nurse in an operating room
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: UCHealth Launches Education Program to Make Career Advancement in Health Care More Accessible

Employees in the Ascend Career Program will have access to certifications, degrees, English language, and college prep—starting on day one of employment.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, January 2022
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, January 2022

The pandemic and associated crises bring new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Promotional graphic for a #DigitalSkills Twitter chat hosted by @JoinDigitalUS, @WorldEdUS and @upskillamerica.
Blog Posts

Recap: #DigitalSkills Twitter Chat

On December 16, we hosted a Twitter chat on efforts to advance digital resilience and equity. Here are some highlights from the discussion.

Upskilling in the News: Hilton Announces New Education Benefit in Partnership with Guild Education
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Hilton Announces New Education Benefit in Partnership with Guild Education

Nearly 45,000 team members will have access to the new platform, which offers high school completion, college degrees, certifications, and more.

Image featuring the Kohl's and Guild Education logos. Background photo shows graduates throwing their caps in the air.
Blog Posts

Upskilling in the News: Kohl’s Announces New Education Benefit Program that Covers Tuition, Books and Other Fees for Eligible Full and Part Time Associates

The program will cover 100% of tuition, books, and fees for programs in business, technology, high school completion, college prep, English, and more.

Photo of a smartphone with the Twitter logo on screen. Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash.
Blog Posts

New Year, New Twitter Handle

Improving work can promote equity, healthy families, and a strong economy. Our new Twitter handle @AspenJobQuality reflects this long-running goal.

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, December 2021
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program Newsletter, December 2021

The COVID-19 crisis brings new urgency to our work to improve jobs, expand business ownership, and advance economic opportunity.

Photo of wooden blocks spelling out the year. The final block is in the process of flipping from 2021 to 2022.
Blog Posts

2021 Year in Review – Economic Opportunities Program

We are grateful for and proud of the conversations, ideas, and outcomes the EOP team has advanced – and optimistic about the opportunities ahead.

Photo of a delivery driver on a motorbike
Blog Posts

The Workers Lab and Future of Work Initiative Announce Partnership to Deepen Understanding of Gig Workers and Work

This project by The Workers Lab and the Aspen Institute Future of Work Initiative will deepen and amplify our understanding of gig workers and gig work.

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