Expanding employee ownership can revive faith in American Dream

Polling conducted by Echelon Insights on behalf of Expanding ESOPs examines what happens to voters' faith in our economy when more companies share ownership with workers
For interviews or additional information, contact press@expandingesops.com.

Latest survey

The American Dream Survey · Echelon Insights · 1,024 registered voters

Americans are frustrated with the economy and believe the American Dream is out of reach. Asked to imagine an economy where more companies shared ownership with their employees, their pessimism disappears — 78% said the Dream would be achievable for more Americans.
  • 80%
    of employees would feel their company cared about their future if it offered an ESOP
  • 84%
    support broad-based employee ownership once it is described
  • 78%
    support government incentives for companies that share ownership
Explore the findings
Download the polling memo (PDF)
78%
say that if more companies shared ownership with employees through ESOPs, the American Dream would be achievable for more Americans.
Fielded online Oct. 11–15, 2025. Margin of sampling error ±3.4 points.

All polling

  1. Echelon Insights

    National survey of 1,024 registered voters on opportunity, the American Dream, and how their outlook changes when they consider an economy with more employee ownership.
    Explore the findings
  2. Public Opinion Strategies and Impact Research

    Earlier polling establishing that support for expanding employee ownership holds across party lines, and that voters see it as a policy about opportunity rather than a partisan issue.
    Explore the findings
Reporters and researchers are welcome to cite this data with attribution to the named research partner. Additional information is available via press@expandingesops.com.

Go deeper

What's an ESOP?

We break down ESOPs in three steps and explain what it means for your job and future.

Voices of Ownership

The people behind the numbers. Employee owners share their stories on how ownership changed their lives.

Newsroom

Press releases, op-eds, and coverage of the movement to expand employee ownership.