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
Employee Ownership Scholars Share Findings at Virtual Meeting
At Kelso meeting, scholars share the impact of the pandemic on ESOPs and worker cooperatives.
Continue Reading Employee Ownership Scholars Share Findings at Virtual Meeting
Canada looks to social enterprises, including cooperatives, to build a better future
Researchers examine what is needed for successful business to cooperative conversions.
Opportunity Knocking
Impact capital could become the lever used to redirect wealth into the hands of working Americans.
Social Capital Partners Turns to ESOPs to Address Wealth Inequality
Filling the finance gap to accelerate employee ownership
Continue Reading Social Capital Partners Turns to ESOPs to Address Wealth Inequality
Biden Transition Team Considers Local Economy Preservation Funds to Build Back Better
Local holding companies could help save small businesses and create a more equitable economy.
EOX expands network of state employee ownership centers
COVID-19 has accelerated need for succession planning and ensuring business owners know employee ownership is on the menu.
Continue Reading EOX expands network of state employee ownership centers
In Brief: Employee Ownership News Updates, October 2020
Books, films, conference updates and more
Continue Reading In Brief: Employee Ownership News Updates, October 2020
Employee-owned Firms More Likely to Retain Employees during Pandemic
Employee Ownership Foundation releases survey data comparing pandemic response among ESOP and non-ESOP firms.
Continue Reading Employee-owned Firms More Likely to Retain Employees during Pandemic
Business Legacy Fund to Finance Employee Ownership Conversions
Co-op Cincy looks to sustain businesses and jobs in Southwest Ohio.
Continue Reading Business Legacy Fund to Finance Employee Ownership Conversions
“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.
