Fifty by Fifty is catalyzing a movement to scale up employee ownership
Our goal: 50 million employee owners in the US by 2050
An initiative of The Democracy Collaborative, Fifty by Fifty is aimed at creating a more inclusive economy through employee ownership. Our goal is to catalyze a movement with the knowledge, resources, and skills to grow the number of employee owners in the U.S. to 50 million Americans by 2050.
The latest employee ownership news
Denver’s Center for Community Wealth Building Accelerates Growth of Worker Cooperatives
Kaiser Permanente has awarded Denver’s Center for Community Wealth Building (CCWB) $360,000 for a three-year initiative to launch six to nine new cooperatives.
Patagonia “Exits to Climate”
A win for capitalism but a mixed bag for stakeholder governance.
SSBCI TA Grant Applications Due in October
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is now soliciting applications for technical assistance grants,.
Employee Ownership Finds Its Way into Federal Legislation
The recently passed CHIPS and Science Act is one of several federal bills that could advance employee ownership.
Continue Reading Employee Ownership Finds Its Way into Federal Legislation
Kaiser Permanente Pilots Community Wealth Building Strategy Focused on Employee Ownership Conversions
One of the country’s largest health systems has launched a unique initiative focused on transitioning their suppliers to employee ownership.
Is Your Co-op Measuring Its Social Capital?
Co-ops don’t always show an immediate financial return, but that doesn’t mean they are failing.
Continue Reading Is Your Co-op Measuring Its Social Capital?
Will Equity Shares Improve Outcomes for Workers?
This seems like a time of messy growth for employee ownership.
Continue Reading Will Equity Shares Improve Outcomes for Workers?
UK Announces Surge in Employee-Owned Businesses
Number of employee-owned businesses doubled since 2020
Continue Reading UK Announces Surge in Employee-Owned Businesses
Can ESOPs Help Recreate Social Trust in America?
Increased economic security and participation at work could strengthen democracy.
Continue Reading Can ESOPs Help Recreate Social Trust in America?
“It takes a job to get out of poverty but it takes assets to stay out of poverty. Ownership shares increase in value over time, generating wealth and security.”
—Fifty by Fifty cofounder Marjorie Kelly
Employee ownership offers a solution to the vast income and wealth inequality that is undermining America’s economy.
GOOD FOR EMPLOYEES
- WAGES: Employee owners earn average wages 5 to 12 percent higher than employees in conventional firms.
- WEALTH: The net worth of employee owners aged 28 to 34 is 92 percent higher than for non-employee owners.
- RETIREMENT SAVINGS: The average retirement savings for an ESOP employee is $170,000, twice the national average.
GOOD FOR BUSINESS
- TURNOVER: Employee engagement is higher and turnover is lower at employee-owned companies.
- GROWTH: Transitions to employee ownership increase productivity by more than 4 percent.
- STABILITY: Employee owners are one-fourth as likely to be laid off and their companies go bankrupt less frequently.
GOOD FOR COMMUNITIES
- JOBS: Employee ownership saves local jobs, because companies that are owned by their employees are far less likely to leave their communities.
- LOCAL WEALTH: Employee ownership keeps wealth circulating in local communities.
GOOD FOR OWNERS
- LEGACY: When business owners sell their businesses to their employees, they can keep their legacy alive for generations to come.
- SAVINGS: Entrepreneurs and family owners can realize the value the business has built while enjoying substantial tax savings.
- RESPONSIBILITY: Business founders and families can find ready buyers in employees, avoiding sale to those who would dismantle the business.
