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.

How Social Policy Is Leaving Behind the Economically Insecure
Blog Posts

How Social Policy Is Leaving Behind the Economically Insecure

The risk of economic insecurity is a useful lens through which to understand today’s economy and politics.

Job Quality Fellowship Webinar (2017)
Blog Posts

Job Quality Fellowship Webinar (2017)

Learn more about the Economic Opportunities Program’s Job Quality Fellowship.

Healthcare Leaders Recognize 11 Providers for Developing Frontline Workers
Blog Posts

Healthcare Leaders Recognize 11 Providers for Developing Frontline Workers

These organizations are making exemplary investments in their frontline workforce.

Three Perspectives on How to Reform US Tax Policy
Blog Posts

Three Perspectives on How to Reform US Tax Policy

How can we create pathways for low- and moderate-income workers?

A Staggering 225,000 People Will Graduate from Walmart University This Year
Blog Posts

A Staggering 225,000 People Will Graduate from Walmart University This Year

The academies teach employees fundamental retail skills that allow them to move up the chain.

Leading the Way: The Role of Companies in Educational Access
Blog Posts

Leading the Way: The Role of Companies in Educational Access

More than ever before, businesses need to invest in ongoing education, training and career advancement for employees.

Paying Workers Better Shouldn’t Be Bad News on Wall Street
Blog Posts

Paying Workers Better Shouldn’t Be Bad News on Wall Street

The reaction to American Airlines’ modest pay raises shows we need a reality check.

Optimax – Doing Great and Doing Good: An Update
Blog Posts

Optimax – Doing Great and Doing Good: An Update

Leaders are tackling new frontiers within their company: creating jobs that give employees the chance to succeed.

Restaurant Employee Participation in McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity Education Program Doubles in Just One Year
Blog Posts

Restaurant Employee Participation in McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity Education Program Doubles in Just One Year

This acceleration signals the clear interest and need for more upskilling programs like Archways to Opportunity.

Economic Opportunities Program – May 2017 Newsletter
Blog Posts

Economic Opportunities Program – May 2017 Newsletter

The latest news & announcements from the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program.

Advancing Your Frontline Workforce With Employer-Sponsored Benefits
Blog Posts

Advancing Your Frontline Workforce With Employer-Sponsored Benefits

More and more employers recognize the need to offer a foundational education program to their workers.

Making Work AND Family Work – For Working Parents and Their Employers
Blog Posts

Making Work AND Family Work – For Working Parents and Their Employers

Employers show that “doing good” for working parents can also “do well” for business.

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