Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.
Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
Aspen Institute
Publications
Shared Success Midpoint Evaluation Overview
April 21, 2025
Economic Opportunities Program, and Shared Success
Description
To understand the impact of the Shared Success demonstration, the Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program selected the Financial Access Initiative and EA Consultants to evaluate the work of the 11 community lenders. This midline evaluation includes survey data from small business owners who participated in advisory services provided by Shared Success grantees. Of those surveyed, 74% reported improving job quality over the past year. This deck overviews the types of job quality changes made, what motivated them, the challenges faced, and plans for future improvements. The Financial Access Initiative and EA Consultants’ qualitative and quantitative research will continue to explore outcomes for small businesses and workers through the end of the Shared Success demonstration.
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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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.
