Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. Receives $10,000 Community Improvement Grant from The UPS Foundation

CONTACT
Linda Broadfoot
Tel: 317.264.7555 x 112
Cell: 317.223.5181
Email: lbroadfoot@kibi.org
Web site : www.kibi.org

For Immediate Release

Indianapolis, IN (June 7, 2010) – Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) has been named as a recipient of a $10,000 community improvement grant from The UPS Foundation. Nationwide, 16 Keep America Beautiful (KAB) affiliates received the merit-based grants supporting programs that address litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, beautification and community greening.

KIB’s Project Green Schools provides environmental curriculum and hands-on opportunities for students such as tree plantings, creating wildlife habitats and gardens, litter abatement, recycling, and other environmental projects. It is KIB’s hope that providing youth with resources to help foster environmental education will give students pride in their surroundings and lead to a greater sense of investment in the community.

“KIB is honored to be chosen to receive funding for this very important effort to enhance the quality of life here in Indianapolis,” said KIB President, David Forsell. “We are extremely thankful to The UPS Foundation for their generous support of our community. Because of their support, many kids will get to dig in the dirt, often for the first time, and become better stewards of their environment and their community.”

The $10,000 grant from the UPS Foundation will allow KIB to fund Project Green Schools in 2010, specifically to purchase trees, plants, tools, and program supplies to improve the environment by engaging youth in creating outdoor classrooms, impacting deserving Marion County students. KIB receives generous support for projects from the City of Indianapolis and the local community, yet there is always a need for additional program supplies.

“This financial contribution supports the overall commitment of UPS employees in the Indianapolis community,” said The UPS Foundation President Ken Sternad. “They see the needs and are dedicated to improving the local environment.”

The awards were presented to KAB affiliates in recognition of their volunteer initiatives with local UPS locations throughout the United States. UPS employee volunteers will actively support the programs nationwide.

Each year, nearly 8,000 students at more than 30 schools transform their school grounds through the Project Green Schools program. For more information on this program, visit www.kibi.org/project_green_schools.

Founded in 1951, The UPS Foundation has a tradition of providing support through grant programs and initiatives that help improve the quality of life in communities where UPS employees live and work. In 2009, the Foundation donated nearly $46 million to charitable organizations worldwide. For more information on The UPS Foundation, visit www.community.ups.com.

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit engaging neighborhoods in environmental and community improvement projects throughout the city. Last year, KIB engaged over 40,000 volunteers on projects around the city. The mission of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is to unite people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement. To learn more, visit www.kibi.org.

About The UPS Foundation
Founded in 1951 and based in Atlanta, Ga., The UPS Foundation’s major initiatives include programs that support community safety, non-profit effectiveness, economic and global literacy, environmental sustainability and diversity. The UPS Foundation pursues these initiatives by identifying specific projects where its support can help produce a measurable social impact. In 2009, The UPS Foundation donated more than $43 million US to charitable organizations worldwide. Visit community.ups.com for more information about UPS's community involvement.

About Keep America Beautiful, Inc.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc., established in 1953, is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization. With a network of nearly 1,200 affiliate and participating organizations, Keep America Beautiful forms public-private partnerships and programs that engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community environments. For additional information, visit www.kab.org.

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