What Is ESOPATHON? ESOPATHON is the Employee Ownership Foundation’s national engagement and fundraising campaign, held each fall during Employee Ownership Month (EOM). It’s not about doing more; it’s about connecting what you’re already doing to a bigger purpose.
Whether you’re hosting a lunch-and-learn, running a social media campaign, attending a happy hour, or simply reflecting on what ownership means to you, ESOPATHON is a way to celebrate, amplify, and give back to the employee ownership community.
Why Participate?
• It’s easy to integrate: No need to start something new. Just connect your existing EOM efforts to ESOPATHON with a small fundraising or awareness component.
• It strengthens the movement: Your contributions fuel the research, education, and advocacy that make employee ownership possible and sustainable.
• It supports your community: By giving back, you’re investing in more ESOPs, stronger employee owners, and a better future for workers and businesses. How to Integrate ESOPATHON Into Your EOM Plans For Companies • Add a brief EOF spotlight to internal events like lunch-and-learns or kickoff meetings.
How to Integrate ESOPATHON Into Your EOM Plans
For Companies
• Add a brief EOF spotlight to internal events like lunch-and-learns or kickoff meetings.
• Turn existing celebrations (e.g., golf outing, Waffle Wednesday) into fundraisers with small participation donations or raffles.
• Recognize past scholarship recipients and tie their stories to the Foundation’s mission.
• Use newsletters or your intranet to share your ESOPATHON team page and encourage participation.
• Encourage company or leadership to match funds raised during these events.
For Professionals
• Offer a small discount or value-added service in exchange for client donations.
• Include ESOPATHON in your October outreach: “I’m celebrating EOM by supporting the EOF. Join me!”
• Talk about how the EOF’s work benefits your clients and the broader ESOP ecosystem.
For Individuals
• Share your story about being an employee owner and include a link to your fundraising page.
• Mention ESOPATHON during your company’s EOM events or on social media.
• Use our “Easy Ask” framework: Explain, personalize, share your activity, ask, and follow up.
Where Does My Money Go?
Your support goes directly to the Employee Ownership Foundation (EOF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes employee ownership through research, education, leadership development, and scholarships.
Programs You Support:
• Scholarships:
o Charles R. Edmunson Scholarships for employee owners
o EOF Trustee Scholars college tuition support for children of employee owners
• Research & Public Awareness:
Funds national surveys, data analysis, and awareness campaigns to grow and protect ESOPs.
• Leadership & Education:
o Leading in an Ownership Setting (CEO program with UVA Darden Business School)
o ESOP Employee Accelerator (training for employee owners)
o Oxford Symposium (global policy and academic exchange)
Final Thought
ESOPATHON is your chance to celebrate Employee Ownership Month while helping grow the future of employee ownership. It’s not more work, it’s more impact. Join the movement. Honor the month. Support the future.
Learn more about the Employee Ownership Foundation: employeeownershipfoundation.org.
To register for ESOPATHON please scan the QR Code or visit esopathon.org
Helpful Resources:
Current Chapter Leaderboard
Top Chapter:
Iowa / Nebraska $7,038.96 raised
2nd Place
Hawaii$5,820.50 raised
3rd Place
Wisconsin $3,714.66 raised
4th Place
Minnesota / Dakotas $3,481.70 raised
5th Place
Illinois $2,906.00 raised
