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.

Cover page for the publication "Lessons and Takeaways from Supporting Small Businesses to Improve Job Quality: Seven Tips for Workforce Organizations"
Publications

Lessons and Takeaways from Supporting Small Businesses to Improve Job Quality: Seven Tips for Workforce Organizations

Here are seven lessons around prospecting, recruitment, and engagement based on our experience working with Pacific Community Ventures.

Cover page for the publication "Centering Worker Voice in Employer Engagement and Program Design: A Tool for Conducting Worker Surveys for Workforce Organizations"
Publications

Centering Worker Voice in Employer Engagement and Program Design: A Tool for Conducting Worker Surveys for Workforce Organizations

Workforce organizations can unlock worker expertise and engagement in ways that strengthen job quality, equity, and the business bottom line.

Cover page for the publication "Centering Worker Voice in Employer Engagement and Program Design: A Guide for Workforce Organizations"
Publications

Centering Worker Voice in Employer Engagement and Program Design: A Guide for Leading Worker Focus Groups for Workforce Organizations

Workforce organizations can unlock worker expertise and engagement in ways that strengthen job quality, equity, and the business bottom line.

Screenshot of the cover page for the report, "Digital Skills Discussion Guide"
Publications

Digital Skills Discussion Guide: A Tool for Workforce Service Providers

As workers adapt to a more digital workplace, workforce providers can learn how employers are integrating technology and upskilling their employees.

Cover page for the publication "Portable Benefits in Action: A Roadmap for a Renewed Work-Related Safety Net"
Publications

Portable Benefits in Action: A Roadmap for a Renewed Work-Related Safety Net

A universal safety net could better deliver benefits to workers, encourage a dynamic labor market, and promote economic security for all.

Cover page: "San Francisco Entrepreneurs of Color Fund: Creating a Continuum of Capital and Consulting" by Sarah Alvarez and Joyce Klein
Publications

San Francisco Entrepreneurs of Color Fund: Creating a Continuum of Capital and Consulting

SFEOCF seeks to create a more accessible and seamless continuum of capital and services for entrepreneurs of color in San Francisco.

Image of the report cover for "Scaling Lending to Entrepreneurs of Color: Part I - Core Operational Challenges"
Publications

Scaling Lending to Entrepreneurs of Color: Part I – Core Operational Challenges

Providing loans and grants to diverse entrepreneurs has been seen by many as an important way to address the racial wealth gap.

Building Wealth Inclusively Through Business Ownership
Publications

Building Wealth Inclusively Through Business Ownership

Although business ownership may not be the primary way that most individuals and families build wealth in the United States, in any capitalist economy it’s a route that cannot be ignored.

Cover for the publication, "Insights from Businesses: How Digital Transformation Is Impacting Work and Skill Needs"
Publications

Insights from Businesses: How Digital Transformation Is Impacting Work and Skill Needs

Learn how the pandemic and heightened attention on racial inequities have influenced companies’ employment plans for the months and years ahead.

Cover page for the brief, "The Original Portable Benefit: A Policy Proposal to Strengthen Social Security and Benefit Portability"
Publications

The Original Portable Benefit: A Policy Proposal to Strengthen Social Security and Benefit Portability

Social Security presents a model of the type of benefit workers need in the 21st century—portable across jobs and available to all workers.

Cover page for the publication, "Promoting Equity and Inclusion and Connection to Good Fit Jobs for Young Adults"
Publications

Promoting Equity and Inclusion and Connection to Good Fit Jobs for Young Adults

Workforce practitioners have tried and tested a range of strategies to build more equitable and inclusive employment practices.

Cover page for the publication, "Delivering Patient Care and Quality Jobs: Great Organizational Culture Drives Sunrise Treatment Center, Cincinnati, Ohio"
Publications

Delivering Patient Care and Quality Jobs: Great Organizational Culture Drives Sunrise Treatment Center, Cincinnati, Ohio

Sunrise Treatment Center provides high quality treatment for patients and a great place to work for employees.

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

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.

Placeholder
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