The Greenlining Institute works to improve the quality of life for low-income and minority communities. The institute emerged form the Greenlining Coalition, perhaps the oldest coalition of African American, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and Latino community leaders organized around a common purpose. With the formal founding of the Institute in 1993, Greenlining set out to create an antidote to redlining, the illegal yet common practice of denying, limiting, or overcharging for financial services and products to low-income and minority communities.



Since 1993, the Greenlining Institute has blossomed into a major policy player throughout California and the nation. In partnership with a dynamic multi-ethnic coalition of diverse organizations, the Institute has successfully connected private enterprise and community organizations in innovative partnerships, garnering over $2.4 trillion dollars in investments into traditionally underserved areas.



Overall, Greenlining believes fundamentally in the capacity of low-income and minority communities to determine their own destinies through real investment, leadership development, coalition building, and tenacious struggle for justice. The ultimate goal of the institute is to increase low-income and minority participation in policy-making, resulting in equitable policies that will improve the quality of life for all communities in California and nationwide.



Redlining is the illegal practice of denying or limiting services and products to low-income and minority communities. In some instances of redlining, services are provided but at higher costs.



Conversely, greenlining is the practice that recognizes business opportunities in low-income and minority communities and provides quality financial services and products at a fair price. By encouraging the greenlining of our neighborhoods, we hope to create wealth and improve the quality of life for all communities. The practice of greenlining recognizes that investing in low-income and minority communities makes business sense and can be profitable.