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
Advancing Race and Gender Equity by Expanding Employee Ownership
Aspen Institute releases issue brief that details policy and practice interventions.
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Evergreen Cooperatives Adapt and Grow
A 10-year review shows the Cleveland Model has delivered for workers.
New Employee Ownership Trusts Demonstrate Viability in U.S.
Employee Ownership Trusts are simpler to set up and easier to manage than ESOPs.
Continue Reading New Employee Ownership Trusts Demonstrate Viability in U.S.
Scaling up employee ownership is key to an equitable recovery
Fast Company commentary focuses on how government can support private investment.
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Certified EO Launches New Directory of Employee-Owned Businesses
Beta release offers opportunity for users to weigh in.
Continue Reading Certified EO Launches New Directory of Employee-Owned Businesses
KKR Partner Pete Stavros to Set Up Center to Promote Employee Ownership
After piloting share-ownership in KKR’s manufacturing portfolio, Stavros ready to expand the model.
Continue Reading KKR Partner Pete Stavros to Set Up Center to Promote Employee Ownership
Rutgers Online Library Dedicated to Employee Ownership
Teaching faculty, researchers and the public can access the Curriculum Library for Employee Ownership (CLEO).
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With First-Ever Pension Fund Investment in an ESOP, Taylor Guitars Becomes Employee Owned
Taylor Guitars converts to 100 percent employee ownership with unique finance partner
Employee Ownership Key to NYC Recovery Strategy
After nearly a year of living with the pandemic, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Employee Ownership NYC, the nation’s largest municipal investment in transitioning businesses to employee ownership.
Continue Reading Employee Ownership Key to NYC Recovery Strategy

“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.