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 "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.

April 12, 2022

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.

April 12, 2022

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.

December 29, 2021

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.

December 14, 2021

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.

December 1, 2021

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.

November 17, 2021

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.

October 18, 2021

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.

September 20, 2021

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.

August 13, 2021

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.

June 30, 2021

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.

June 29, 2021

Icon of a dollar sign with arrows orbiting around it
Publications

Addressing the Capitalization and Financial Constraints of CDFI Microlenders

Microlending fills a vital role in creating opportunity and equity in low-income communities, and in meeting demand for loans among entrepreneurs who have face barriers accessing credit: people of color and women.

May 19, 2021

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

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.”

Blog Posts Of Interest

National Job Quality Practitioner Survey

We’re in the last month of our #JobQuality survey. If your org is improving #JobQuality, add your voice to this survey from The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program by December 31st.

Blog Posts

Institutional Investment and Employee Ownership

Of Interest

Transcript — Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US

The following transcript comes from our webinar, “Backsliding on Child Protections: The Return of Child Labor in the US,” hosted by the Economic Opportunities Program on November 19, 2025.

Blog Posts

Job Quality Newsletter – Low Quality, High Costs

In this edition of the Job Quality Newsletter, we unpack why manufacturing jobs are often seen as desirable yet don’t consistently deliver on that promise, highlight research that shows how efforts to strengthen businesses can also improve the quality of jobs they provide, and consider how government purchasing power can be used to set higher job standards across the sector.

Blog Posts
Close-up photo of hands typing on a laptop keyboard
Publications

Upskilling Playbook: AI, Skill Development, and the Workforce

Leaders must view AI adoption as a development opportunity to redefine how capability is built, focusing on outcomes and consciously reinvesting capacity freed by automation to ensure growth and resilience for both the business and its people.