Old National Bank Foundation 20 for 20 Grantee Profiles: Grand Rapids’ Project GREEN Helps Turn Everyday People into Financial Heroes

As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, and two decades of helping build stronger, more vibrant and prosperous communities, the Old National Bank Foundation in 2026 is donating a total of $20,000 to 20 nonprofit organizations throughout its nine-state footprint, including Project GREEN in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Project GREEN is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve financial stability and long-term financial well-being through education, coaching and advocacy. Guided by its vision of turning “everyday people into money heroes,” the organization empowers people to pursue their own financial goals and help others do the same.

Avoiding predatory lending and removing financial barriers

Founded through efforts to address predatory lending practices and expand financial opportunity, Project GREEN works on two fronts:

• It provides financial capability services, including workshops, financial coaching and matched savings opportunities designed to help people build emergency savings, improve credit and strengthen their financial futures.
• It also advocates for systemic changes that remove barriers preventing low- and moderate-income individuals from achieving their financial goals.

A key part of the organization's history dates to 2011, when Dallas Lenear, executive director and founder of Project GREEN, became involved with fair lending advocacy efforts focused on addressing the harm caused by payday lending practices. Through that work, he saw firsthand how hardworking individuals often found themselves turning to high-interest loans simply because they lacked access to affordable financial alternatives.

“People often face genuine financial challenges, but too frequently those challenges are met with products that make their situations worse,” Lenear said. “Our goal is to help people build assets, strengthen their financial foundation and create alternatives that lead to long-term financial health rather than financial hardship.”

Project GREEN's work creates tangible results for the people it serves. Through workshops, coaching and savings programs, participants learn practical strategies for managing money, reducing debt and building financial resilience. The organization's advocacy work complements those efforts by promoting fair lending practices and consumer protections that help create a more equitable financial system.

Old National Bank Foundation support for financial education

One example of that impact came through a financial education initiative supported by the Old National Bank Foundation. Using the “D-Free: 12 Steps to Financial Freedom” curriculum, Project GREEN partnered with three churches in Kent County to deliver financial education and coaching to local residents.

Among the participants was a man in his 70s who was working three jobs to support himself and his wife. After completing the program, he reported that it was the first time he had been able to consistently save money and establish an emergency savings goal. Another participant, a single mother raising two high school-aged daughters, discovered she could redirect approximately $500 each month by making changes to her spending habits, creating additional financial stability for her family.

“Those stories remind us why this work matters,” Lenear said. “Financial freedom isn't just about numbers on a balance sheet. It's about reducing stress, creating options and giving people the confidence that they can build a better future for themselves and their families.”

A partnership to strengthen communities

The partnership between the Old National Bank Foundation and Project GREEN reflects a shared commitment to financial empowerment and economic mobility. Foundation support has enabled the organization to expand financial education programming, strengthen partnerships with community organizations and help more individuals access the tools they need to improve their financial well-being.

“What stands out about Old National is their genuine desire to make an impact,” Lenear said. “Many nonprofits spend their time seeking out funding opportunities, but Old National has repeatedly taken the initiative to reach out and support organizations that are making a difference. That says a lot about their commitment to strengthening communities and helping people succeed.”

Together, the Old National Bank Foundation and Project GREEN are helping individuals build stronger financial futures while advancing policies and practices that create greater economic opportunity for all. Through education, coaching and advocacy, they continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities across Michigan.

“Our ‘20 for 20’ campaign recognizes 20 organizations that have helped strengthen communities and expand opportunity through their partnership with the Old National Bank Foundation,” said Old National Bank Foundation President Joe Kiser. “Their leadership, innovation, and commitment to serving others reflect the very best of what can happen when communities come together around a shared purpose. As we celebrate the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, these organizations represent the many communities, causes, and partnerships that have shaped the Foundation’s work over the past two decades.”

To learn more about Project GREEN, visit https://projectgreengr.org.

Each year, the Old National Bank Foundation endeavors to fund as many initiatives that meet our funding priorities as possible across our footprint. For more information on grants or the Old National Bank Foundation, click here.