Let's be honest. There are certain non-profits and certain businesses that are simply 5-star organizations. Anything else is unacceptable. It's so true that if you see someone bash the organization, you immediately think to yourself "This is not someone I want to know." It's true. You know it's true. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is such a non-profit. It's hard to describe everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful does. Truthfully, I'm probably not even aware of everything Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (also known as KIB) does. I just know that when it comes to keeping Indianapolis a wonderful place to live, KIB seems to always be involved. I first became aware of KIB years ago when longtime friend David Forsell led the organization. If you haven't met David (and his wife Shannon), they are, in my estimation, one of "Indy's Couples." That's an official designation now, I made it up. Okay, back to KIB. KIB has programs in three areas: Clean Neighborhoods - Adopt-a-Block, Great Indy Clean-Up, Plogging, and Busy Roads/Waterways. Trees & Native Habitats - Project Greenspace, Habitat Restoration, and Community Forestry. Engaged Citizens - Urban Naturalists, Tree Tenders, Youth Tree Team, and KIB Ambassadors. It seems like whenever there's a community event, KIB is involved (I'm currently working alongside a KIB staff person jurying a film festival). It seems like if there's a community partnership to be had, somehow KIB is engaged with it. Their events are well-run, well-led, richly beneficial to our community, and remarkably empowering. Their office on Fletcher Avenue In 2009 became the first civic nonprofit in Indiana to have a building LEED Gold Certified by the US Green Building Council! KIB has wind turbines, a cistern to collect stormwater, rain gardens, a pervious pavement parking lot (which lets water filter through), and a sunny atrium filled with native plants. They also have a green roof and are dog friendly! In other words, KIB lives its values. As a non-profit, they have the highest possible ratings from both GuideStar and Charity Navigator. In short, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful is one of those non-profits I consider to be "Indy's Non-Profits." These are organizations that truly make Indy a fantastic place to live (and it is). I love KIB and I love everything they do. read more

I joined KIB last year during the height of the pandemic, when I needed a healthy outlet to channel all of the anxiety I was feeling. I would go for walks daily to calm my brain, but I couldn't help but notice litter on the ground. It kind of messed with the calm vibe I was trying to accomplish -- every disposable mask and tissue and empty water bottle I would see on the ground would make me more and more irate. So instead of getting mad about it, I started to bring a trash bag and litter picker with me on my walks. Suddenly, my walks began to feel calming again. Picking up litter gave my walks a purpose. It gave me a feeling of control during a time when so many things felt out of my control (COVID cases spiking, the crumbling of society, etc.) Plus, I felt good knowing that I was helping, in a small way, to make other people feel calm during their walks, too, by removing the litter so they didn't have to see it. Not too long after I started picking up litter on my own, I found out about KIB. I learned that they have an Adopt-a-Block program, where you can "adopt" a portion of your neighborhood and maintain it (pick up litter, plant trees, etc.) I volunteered to be a Block Captain for a portion of the Monon Trail. KIB gave me some free supplies to help me start out (a nifty KIB trash bucket, lots of trash bags, gloves, a trash picker and a t-shirt). I've been an Adopt-a-Block Captain for almost a year now. Since then, I've walked lots of miles and picked up dozens (hundreds?) of buckets of litter. I've made friends with people I see regularly who use the trail where I pick up trash. I've had people come up to me and ask me about KIB (because they see me carrying my KIB trash bucket), and I'm always happy to sing this organization's praises and encourage others to adopt a block in their neighborhood, too. And KIB makes it super easy to do so. They are very inclusive and just want people to get involved in making their communities better places to live and play. I tend to enjoy picking up litter the most when I'm by myself, because it's become a meditative practice for me. But, I've also joined several litter-collecting projects that KIB has organized. These are always very well-thought-out, and they target areas of Indy that are under-cared-for and have a lot of litter lying around. During these events, it's nice to be around other people who love Indy and are as invested in it as much as you are. KIB has lots of projects happening all year, which is great because there is always something to do. I love this organization so much, and it's become a part of me and my lifestyle now. So much so, that one time, when my kids saw a KIB sign when we were out and about, they pointed to it and said, "Hey mom, that's you! That's the thing you do." read more

On the heels of Earth Day it seems like a great time to re-sing the praises of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. Their impact on our city has been incredible over the years. From the Adopt-a-Block program to their youth tree team that helps create jobs for Central Indiana youth, there's so much to love about KIB. Oh, and did I mention their spiffy LEED certified headquarters in the Fountain Square/Fletcher Place area? I've had the pleasure of working with them on projects through work over the years along with being an Adopt a Block captain. If you're looking for a creative way to foster team building with your coworkers, their community clean up calendar is a great option. Can you ask for a better healthy outlet? Getting outside (check!), movement (check!), cleaning up your city (check!). Can you tell I'm a fan? read more

We visited KIB for a volunteering event through our company today and had a great time cleaning out weeds, laying mulch and beautifying the KIB area. If you are invested in Indy, this is the place to be and help volunteer. Ciera the organizer was so helpful and sweet. They had water, pre clean up snacks, and post clean up free beer (which is very thoughtful IMO). For the clean up they had all the supplies needed which was super helpful from gloves to rakes and buckets + tarps. Highly recommend getting involved, such a good location/organization and purpose. read more

Happy to see that KIB has a strong five stars on Yelp, I wouldn't have expected anything less because they absolutely excel at what they do for the entire Indianapolis community. There is a way for every resident to get involved in green-ifying and beautifying their block, neighborhood, or park -- even during a pandemic! KIB has really adapted their programming and public health policies well in the face of the virus. While large public volunteering events are very limited, there are still ways to help out right now. If you do go to something in person, rest assured that the team is taking every sanitary precaution and recording information for contact tracing if necessary. They also have a wonderfully established social media presence on just about every platform. Give them a follow on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or even YouTube to learn how to help your community this year! read more

The name says it all! Their initiatives help our community SO much and if you haven't volunteered with them before, you should. Their work so directly affects our community and therefore it's so fun to get involved, especially when the initiatives come to your neighborhood. They have neighborhood-based initiatives and 'clean ups.' They do everything from planting trees, to providing recycling bins for events. They fix-up murals, add flowerbeds, mulch, and so much more. Check them out: there's tons of new projects that are always updated on their page. read more

After discovering a new pocket park on the near east side, I stopped in at KIB to find out more about the park. Did you know they have about 200 projects per year? Inside their lobby, there are sign up sheets for projects that are being planned right now! When I was working, my company planted over 40,000 trees in the Indy area. KIB was right along side our volunteers. We would often have to clean up areas before planting so that the trees would have the best opportunity to thrive. Overall, it felt good to volunteer on these projects to see how much better a bare lot could look cleaned up and newly planted. For a list of opportunities that you can become involved with, check out the KIB website. Review #2304 read more

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This organization is doing great things for our city. KIB does lots of programming and service surrounding the beautification of Indy, like planting trees and cleaning up. The office space on Fletcher Ave has a windmill and rain garden out in the parking lot! Just a really neat space. If you're looking for volunteer opportunities, check them out. Their website is laid out nicely and easy to navigate and learn about KIB or service opportunities. They also sell portable trash boxes for $4 and rent out recycling bins for free for events! Very easy to reserve online and pick-up is a breeze. They fold down nicely and fit perfectly in my car. read more

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I LOVE KIB! I'm involved with their "Adopt a Block" program and they are a joy to volunteer for. They really care about their community and the programs they offer, it shows that they have a real commitment to the City of Indianapolis. They are great stewards to the environment and are constantly giving back to their volunteers and Block Captains. Who doesn't want to live in a cleaner brighter city with more native plants and trees!? Thanks, KIB for everything you guys do! read more

I came by here one afternoon to purchase and pick up some of the cardboard trash cans for an event I was throwing that weekend. The woman at the front desk was not very friendly and made me feel like I was intruding on her day by being there and using their services. I didn't know that you are supposed to order the trash boxes online before stopping in and she was a little confused that I hadn't ordered them yet. Ultimately though she helped me to place the order right there on her computer and then she went in the back to pull them immediately. I think the goal of this business is fantastic and well worth the five stars despite the weird greeting. I hope more people learn about the amazing things they do for our city! read more

What a great organization working to keep places in Indy beautiful and clean. When you hear out of towners comment on what a clean city Indy is, KIB has a large part in that. They are experienced in organizing their neighborhood clean up events and also plant landscaping. They truly do keep Indianapolis Beautiful and glad to have them in the city! read more

This organization truly lives up to its name. KIBI really works hard to have a strong presence throughout the community and does a lot to help our city look beautiful. One of my favorite parts of KIBI is that they are a beneficiary of the RUN317 series, specifically the Fountain Square race. They have hosted the race for the past few years and they always do a great job of supporting their cause while helping RUN317 succeed. I also appreciate how they work with other charities and organizations around the city to promote positive initiatives. read more

When you ask me "Where's a great place to get involved in Indy's community through volunteering?" KIB is the very first place I think of (aside from my full-time job, of course). The volunteer process for KIB is extremely easy. Anyone can assist in their volunteer work, solo or with your family/friends or coworkers as a giveback day. The process consists of sending them a message, telling them you're interested in the type of volunteer work, picking a session, showing up, and leaving knowing you've left a green thumb impact on the Circle City community. As a heads up: every time I've volunteered with KIB, I count this as my weekend workout because it's quite labor-intensive, from what I've experienced. Nothing that you can't do, and there are always people there to assist you, but keep that in mind! The staff are always so friendly and outgoing, and they provide you with the tools / equipment you'll need for your shift! It's always a great feeling going past the spot you helped make "beautiful" and knowing you left your mark on the community! Great work, KIB! read more

KIB is a great organization that does a lot in Indy as a part of its goal, to keep Indianapolis Beautiful. From planting trees, to assisting with urban gardens, to recycling initiatives, it digs its way through a lot of local problems. It becomes involved with a lot of initiatives, helping communities to help themselves, through adopt a block programs and neighborhood tree programs. It also has a young professionals' group for those who want to become really active! KIB is also a great organization to volunteer with, if you ever have a free Saturday and want to figure out how to give back to Indy. It's incredibly easy to sign up for as it has its own online signup page at http://www.kibi.org/volunteer. read more

I love to volunteer with KIP! I learn about the city initiatives to keep the city green and beautiful. The work also teaches us about planting trees and cleaning up the trash people leave behind. The projects are all over the city so you are always close to something! The leaders are helpful and the volunteers abundant. It is great to see locals helping the city stay clean. I love meeting the local businesses who help out by sending knowledgeable teams just to help!! Keep Indy Beautiful, everyone! read more

An organization that helps Indy neighborhoods. I've picked up the supplies for the neighborhood clean up twice. And a month ago they came and planted trees in our neighborhood! Their volunteers work hard and everyone has always been friendly. read more

My husband and I participated in the Indy clean up this past weekend and we were pleasantly surprised! While this is not the usual Saturday morning activity for two 25 year olds, we felt like our time was spent in a positive way and we left feeling great about our day. The whole day was well planned starting with food and transportation in morning, to organized groups and projects. Our group was placed in a 15 passenger van and taken out to the streets on a pre planned route. We were given gloves, water, trash pick up sticks, buckets, trash bags, and had a dumpster following us the whole time so we never carried our trash long distances. We finished at the time they told us we would and provided us with lunch afterwards. The whole thing lasted from 8-1:00. If you want to make a difference in your community the easiest way, this is the way to do it. And I got quality time with my husband while we were at it read more

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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This is a terrific place to volunteer for and improve our city. Go to kibi.org to learn about their different programs like Adopt a Block, Tree Tenders and Ambassadors. read more

I have been volunteering with the group several times per year for almost 8 years. Though staff has changed, the level of commitment has not. I have painted murals, planted trees, and picked up trash. And each experience is new, different, and fun. I love what they stand for, and the fact that they are making Indianapolis more visually appealing! read more

KIB is a wonderful organization. When we first moved to our neighborhood in Indianapolis, we were surprised that there were no city street cleaning services and that, in cases like ours, it's up to the neighborhoods to organize their KIB sponsored cleanups. I'm now in my second year of being Beautification chair for our neighborhood association and, with the help of KIB, have organized 3 cleanups so far and there were many more before me. KIB makes it so easy to organize neighborhood cleanups and they provide gloves and trash bags and either a dumpster or a packer truck. The coordinators there are always really helpful and friendly and if you have any questions, they are more than willing to answer. Did you know they also have tree plantings? We also had a KIB sponsored tree planting this year, and it was a great experience. Their arborists are talented and the volunteers that take part are just wonderful! I love how they really promote a tree canopy in Indianapolis. KIB has many organized cleanups in different areas of Indianapolis and really do everything they can to keep Indianapolis beautiful. They are an awesome team who really know what they are doing and work hard for our city. (Review #101) read more

Did the Great Indy Cleanup this morning with about 300 other volunteers. The largest KIB one-day event yet. Teams covered 18 areas around SO Indy (parks, communities on southside of Indy. Met some new friends and a little mind, body, spirit pump. Well body's a little sore but worth it. Will do more volunteer events again. Check it out at kib.org. Opportunities, events monthly, if not weekly. Go KIB! read more