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.

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Creating Good Jobs Module (one pager)
Publications

Creating Good Jobs Module (one pager)

Developing your Employee Handbook
Publications

Developing your Employee Handbook

Creating Good Jobs: Budgeting for Benefits
Publications

Creating Good Jobs: Budgeting for Benefits

Building Trust: Creating Jobs People Want to Keep
Publications

Building Trust: Creating Jobs People Want to Keep

Creating an Employee Onboarding Plan for Your Small Business
Publications
Guide to Hiring: Do’s and Don’ts To Consider
Publications

Guide to Hiring: Do’s and Don’ts To Consider

Upskilling Playbook: Maturity Levels
Publications

Upskilling Playbook: Maturity Levels

The Upskilling Maturity Model provides a framework for organizations to evaluate their current state and advance toward a fully integrated, strategic approach to workforce development.

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

Back to the Future of Work: Revisiting the Past and Shaping the Future
Podcasts Videos

Back to the Future of Work: Revisiting the Past and Shaping the Future

For highlights from this discussion, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Or subscribe to our podcast to listen on the go.

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders
Blog Posts

To Help Small Businesses Recover From the L.A. Fires, Invest in Community Lenders

Nonprofit lenders often deploy funds faster than the government but need more capital to meet demand.

Resource Roundup: Life Beyond Work
Blog Posts

Resource Roundup: Life Beyond Work

Shared Success Evaluation Results
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.

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

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

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