Digital-first initiative will arm progressive leaders, creators, and organizations with data-driven messaging and tech tools to engage young Americans
New research highlights how shared economic struggles are uniting a divided generation
TheAmerican Dream Institute (ADI) launches today as a first-of-its-kind digital engagement engine dedicated to helping the Democratic Party rebuild trust with young working Americans. Founded by business builder Eric Jones, ADI uses data-driven messaging and innovative technology solutions to grow progressive networks in overlooked places and reimagine the American Dream for a generation disillusioned by both economic realities and political messaging. ADI believes the Democratic Party's challenges run far deeper than reaching voters on podcasts – its policies and messaging fail to resonate, even on the biggest platforms.
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“The American Dream isn't dead, but it must be reimagined.” -Eric Jones, American Dream Institute founder and CEO
Eric Jones is a product of the American Dream: he's a millennial and first-generation college graduate from a working-class family in small-town Maine – there were times his family relied on food stamps and disability checks. For the last 12 years, he has worked in the Bay Area helping build one of the most successful crossover investment firms of the past decade. Frustrated by what he saw as the Democratic Party alienated working families, young voters, and business owners, he left his career to lead ADI full-time.
“The American Dream isn't dead, but it must be reimagined,” said Eric Jones, founder and CEO of the American Dream Institute. “Young Americans are living a paradox: they're ambitious and full of hope, yet worn down by a system that talks about opportunity only to deliver debt and dead ends. It's time for a reset – and the American Dream Institute is here to reimagine what opportunity looks like for the next generation.”
WHAT YOUNG ADULTS ARE TELLING USADI surveyed 10,000 adults, including 8,000 under 45, to better understand their aspirations and frustrations with the Democratic Party. The survey was conducted online and was weighted by age, race, gender, and education in line with the latest Census data. Key findings include:
— Affordability Clouds Everything: Across political parties, young people share a common vision of success rooted in security, connection, and autonomy. Specifically on housing, 75% of adults under 45 want to buy a home but feel it's out of reach, including 82% of 18 to 24-year-olds.
— Taxing the Rich Is an Easy Sell for Young Voters: An overwhelming 75% of young adults believe billionaires and corporations should pay more in taxes, including 80% of young conservatives and 90% of young progressives. This consensus suggests that a broad, bipartisan majority feels that the deck is stacked against them in favor of an untouchable elite – this creates opportunities for Democrats.
— Shared Economic Struggle Unites a Divided Generation: 78% of young adults say they want more than just to make it into the middle class, including 80% of the youngest progressives and 76% of the youngest conservatives. Young Americans haven't given up on the American Dream, but doubt their ability to achieve it amid rising costs, crushing debt, and flat wages.
This early research underpins ADI's core hypothesis that the American Dream remains the cornerstone of progressive American politics, but it must be redefined. Today, young Americans are seeking affordability, upward mobility, and the opportunity to build lasting wealth. These pillars will shape ADI's future-forward messaging to connect with young Americans, and all research will be made public.
A WAKE-UP CALL FOR PROGRESSIVESThe 2024 election revealed a painful truth: young voters have lost trust in the Democratic Party. While many in the political establishment are banking on GOP missteps or new progressive voices to turn the tide, ADI believes something much deeper is needed – a durable digital-first engine of engagement that meets young people where they are: online, in culture, and in real time. Unlike traditional think tanks, ADI was founded to reengage those who have decidedly tuned out of politics – using deep listening, modern storytelling that resonates across platforms, and tech tools that will empower progressive communicators.
“Progressives should own the mantle of aspiration, but right now we're losing that fight,” said Chuck Rocha, former advisor to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders and founder and president of Solidarity Strategies. “Donald Trump and the MAGA machine didn't win with better ideas – they showed up loudly, consistently, and with emotional resonance. In a media landscape fueled by outrage and speed, presence beats polish. The American Dream Institute is meeting a critical need that will give progressive leaders tools to communicate with clarity and conviction.”
ADVISORY BOARDADI is backed by a diverse advisory board of leaders across politics, sports, business, and culture, including:
— Chuck Rocha, former advisor to U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders; founder and president, Solidarity Strategies
— Steve Kerr, head coach, Golden State Warriors; former NBA player
— Kim Conley, Olympic runner; 2012 and 2016 Olympian
— Naz El-Khatib, policy expert; former senior advisor on policy, U.S. Department of State
— Teddy Goff, political strategist; co-founder and managing partner, Precision Strategies
— Julian Mulvey, political strategist; co-founder, Fight Agency; former partner, Devine, Mulvey, Longabaugh
— Courtney Fukuda, entrepreneur; co-founder and chief integration officer, Metropolis Technologies
“Leadership is about showing up, listening, and building something that can last,” said Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors. “Too many young people today feel unseen and unheard. The American Dream Institute is bridging this divide with data-driven engagement and meaningful action. This is exactly the kind of long-term investment we need to restore faith in the American Dream for generations to come.”
“By grounding their work in the lived experiences of young people, the American Dream Institute is not just amplifying voices, but creating real gravitational force around the modern pillars of the American Dream: affordability, mobility, and the opportunity to build wealth,” said Courtney Fukuda, entrepreneur and co-founder and chief integration officer of Metropolis Technologies.”I'm proud to be part of this important initiative, both for the public good and for the future of our country.”
WHAT COMES NEXTIn the months ahead, the American Dream Institute will release a series of data visualizations, public-facing research, platform-native video, creative guides, and more, working with creators, influencers, podcasters, and streamers who have earned the trust of their audiences. This includes developing and supporting tools that will close the tech gap and modernize progressive communications.
About the American Dream InstituteThe American Dream Institute (ADI) is a digital engagement engine dedicated to restoring belief in the American Dream and helping the progressive movement rebuild trust with young working Americans. Created by and for the next generation, ADI is leveraging data, culturally-fluent messaging, and technology to understand the root causes of political disconnection and build a new blueprint for progressive engagement.
For more information, visit americandreaminstitute.org and follow us on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
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SOURCE American Dream Institute
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