Resources from Shared Success

Good jobs and strong businesses are vital to the well-being of communities across the country. In today’s economy, however, millions of workers struggle in poor-quality jobs, while small business owners face challenges finding and retaining the employees they need to thrive.

Shared Success, a project of the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP), is grounded in the understanding that building better jobs and building stronger businesses go hand in hand. Supported by a $12 million investment from the Gates Foundation, EOP partnered with 11 community lenders to integrate job quality programming into their small business support services. These lenders — each working in distinct communities across the US — demonstrate that there is no single model, but rather many ways organizations can help small businesses thrive through a job quality approach.

Publications

Integrating a Job Quality Practice in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs): A Q&A

This Q&A provides insights and lessons from the work of 11 CDFIs that participated in Shared Success, a job quality demonstration led by the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program (EOP).

November 18, 2025

Decorative photo of a row of people seated in a room, taking notes on paper
Publications

Job Quality Insights from Small Business Employees

Findings from this survey reinforce the importance of job quality for employee satisfaction.

November 13, 2025

Publications

Bridging Small Business Support & Employment Law Compliance: A Toolkit for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

This toolkit provides practical insights that community development financial institutions (CDFIs) can use to expand their impact and support small business job quality and growth.

September 12, 2025

Publications

Creating Good Jobs Module (one pager)

August 23, 2025

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Developing your Employee Handbook

August 18, 2025

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Creating Good Jobs: Budgeting for Benefits

August 18, 2025

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Building Trust: Creating Jobs People Want to Keep

July 11, 2025

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

July 11, 2025

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New Hire Checklist: Supporting your Employees from the Start

How good are the jobs in your small business? Use this tool to check what you’re doing well and where you can improve.

June 12, 2025

Publications

Good Job Inventory: Understand and Measure the Quality of Jobs You Offer

How good are the jobs in your small business? Use this tool to check what you’re doing well and where you can improve.

June 12, 2025

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Shared Success Midpoint Evaluation Overview

One third of businesses reported adding employee benefits since baseline. The main employee benefits offered at midline are PTO (69%), paid sick leave (56%), health insurance (54%), and professional development opportunities (50%). These have both financial and opportunity costs to firms.

April 21, 2025

About Shared Success

Shared Success, a project of the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program, shows how building better jobs can simultaneously uplift workers while also driving small business success.

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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