Brooklyn Family Wins $10,000 in Summit Credit Union’s Project Money

March 11, 2026

MADISON, Wis. — By increasing their family’s savings by more than $7,300 and reducing debt by $36,500 in just eight months, Dawn Ring and Marco Martinez won the 17th season of Summit Credit Union’s Project Money program.

Summit Credit Union, a member-owned financial cooperative, hosts a financial challenge and awards a $10,000 grand prize to winning participants each year.

At the start of the program, Ring and Martinez’s goal was to turn paycheck-to-paycheck living into a life they can enjoy without financial stress. Ring, a stay-at-home mom currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree, and Martinez, a pipelayer and woodworker, have three young children together and share a passion for selling goods at flea markets.

“Project Money has been truly life-changing for our family,” said Ring. “Through sessions with Jess Alicea, our Summit Credit Union coach, we didn’t just meet our goals. We surpassed them. We’re walking away from this experience as completely different people when it comes to our finances.”

Throughout Season 17, four Project Money teams or individuals worked with their dedicated Summit financial coaches to set customized financial goals designed to reduce debt, increase savings and make positive financial lifestyle changes.

“Project Money is powerful because it helps people reframe their relationship with money. Financial change doesn’t come from quick fixes. It comes from day-to-day habits,” said Kim Sponem, CEO and President of Summit Credit Union. “With the guidance of our financial coaches, Project Money gives people the tools and coaching they need to build strong habits and create a brighter financial future for themselves and their families.”

Participants shared their progress through blog posts and on social media, inviting community members to follow along and inspiring others to take steps toward improving their own financial well-being.

The season 17 winner was selected based on total debt reduced, savings increased and participation in program events, including appearances in TV commercials on Madison’s WKOW. In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, Summit awarded each of the remaining teams a $2,500 prize.

Since the program began in 2009, Project Money contestants have collectively increased their savings by $682,037 and decreased their debt by $704,558. In Season 17 alone, participants reduced their collective debt by$68,895 and saved more than $24,779.