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.

Findings from the Scale Academy – Innovating to Scale
Publications

Findings from the Scale Academy – Innovating to Scale

How do microenterprise development organizations scale up their microlending and business development services?

Initial Findings From Courses To Employment On Students’ Education And Employment Outcomes
Publications

Initial Findings From Courses To Employment On Students’ Education And Employment Outcomes

During Courses to Employment, WSI conducted participant outcomes assessments on students served by nonprofit-community college partnerships.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Logistics Academy in Los Angeles, CA
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Logistics Academy in Los Angeles, CA

This report details initial findings from research on the education and employment outcomes of 114 participants who enrolled in the Logistics Academy between 2008 and 2009.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Chicago, IL
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Chicago, IL

This report details the initial findings from research on the education and employment outcomes of 933 students who enrolled in Carreras en Salud (Careers in Health) program between 2005 and 2009.

Key Data on the Scale of Microlending in the US
Publications

Key Data on the Scale of Microlending in the US

This report seeks to better understand lending institutions and the financial products that they offer.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Security Guard Academy in Los Angeles, CA
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Security Guard Academy in Los Angeles, CA

This report details initial findings from research on the education and employment outcomes of 162 students who enrolled in the Security Guard Academy in 2009.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Metro Bus Operator Bridge Program in Los Angeles, CA
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for the Metro Bus Operator Bridge Program in Los Angeles, CA

This report details initial findings from research on the education and employment outcomes of 651 participants who enrolled in the Metro Bus Operator Bridge Program in Los Angeles between 2006 and February 2010.

Business Value Assessment of Work-Based Learning
Publications

Business Value Assessment of Work-Based Learning

This publication highlights a business value assessment of a work-based learning project conducted at Temple University Hospital-Episcopal Campus.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Seattle, WA
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Seattle, WA

This report details the initial findings from research on the education and employment outcomes of students who enrolled in the General Services Technician (automobile service and repair) program at Shoreline Community College between 2006 and 2009.

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Northern Virginia
Publications

Courses to Employment: Initial Education and Employment Outcomes Findings for Community College-Nonprofit Partnership in Northern Virginia

This report details the initial findings from longitudinal research on the education and employment outcomes of students who enrolled in Northern Virginia Family Service’s Training Futures (business and medical office administration training) program between 2007 and 2010.

Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: Interviews with Field Leaders
Publications

Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Programs: Interviews with Field Leaders

This publication shares research from interviews with leaders from 25 promising and innovative pre-apprenticeship programs from across the country.

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