The newly revised and updated Opportunity Compact is a set of principles and policy recommendations set forth by the National Urban League (NUL) designed to empower all Americans to be full participants in the economic and social mainstream of this nation.  It is based on four cornerstones identified by the Urban League as the foundation of  equal opportunity in our society:  the Opportunity to Thrive (Children), the Opportunity to Earn (Jobs), the Opportunity to Own (Housing) and the Opportunity to Prosper (Entrepreneurship).  These cornerstones are supported by a list of ten policy priorities.

Opportunity to Thrive (Children)

1.    Commit to mandatory early childhood education beginning at age three as well as guarantee access to college for all.

2.    Close the gaps in the health insurance system to ensure universal healthcare for all children.

3.    Establish policies that provide tools for working families to become economically self-sufficient.

 Opportunity to Earn (Jobs)

4.    Create an urban infrastructure bank to fund reinvestment in urban communities (e.g. parks, schools, roads).

5.    Increase economic self-sufficiency by indexing the minimum wage to the rate of inflation and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit to benefit more working families.

6.    Expand “second chance” programs for high school drop outs, ex-offenders and at-risk youth to secure GEDs, job training and employment.

Opportunity to Own (Housing)

7.    Adopt the “Homebuyer’s Bill of Rights” as recommended by the National Urban League (http://www.nul.org/Publications/Advocacy/NUL07HB-Bill-of-Rights.pdf).

8.    Reform public housing to assure continuing national commitment to low-income families.

Opportunity to Prosper (Entrepreneurship)
 
9.    Strongly enforce federal minority business opportunity goals to ensure greater    minority participation in government contracting.

10. Build capacity of minority business through expansion of micro-financing, equity      financing and the development of strategic alliances with major corporations.