KIB taking applications for community improvement projects

INDIANAPOLIS – (July 20, 2011) Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) is gearing up for the upcoming planting season by offering a number of opportunities for neighborhoods and schools in Marion County to have an impact in their community. The application process for many of KIB’s programs will draw to a close at the end of August. Applicants are encouraged to submit requests before the 2011 deadline to ensure their part in revitalizing their community and greening their neighborhoods and schools.

KIB has collaborated with many community organizations, neighborhoods, schools and businesses to transform and beautify The Circle City through a variety of programs, including:

IPL Project GreenSpace: In partnership with Indianapolis Power & Light Company (IPL) and the City of Indianapolis, KIB helps neighborhoods, schools, churches, and other community-based organizations create beautiful places from vacant lots, old parking lots, medians, and other little used areas. Through IPL Project GreenSpace, sites throughout Indianapolis are transformed into pocket parks, gateways, and urban gardens. These efforts help to build community pride, and add value to neighborhoods across Indianapolis. The deadline to apply for an IPL Project GreenSpace grant is August 12, 2011. To apply with your neighborhood or community group or learn more visit, www.kibi.org/greenspace.

KIB Clubs: This program provides 'hands on' opportunities for students and youth in tree plantings, creating wildlife habitats, gardens, litter abatement, recycling, and other environmental projects. Participants are also encouraged to explore and understand challenges in the urban environment and to learn how to care for and improve their community. This program will be accepting applications until August 27, 2011; however, only three grants will be awarded for the 2012-2013 school year. Applications are available at www.kibi.org/kib_clubs.

NeighborWoods: In addition to these programs, KIB’s NeighborWoods initiative (www.kibi.org/neighborwoods) has helped to plant more than 27,000 trees in Indianapolis since the program’s announcement nearly five years ago. An urban forestry effort to strategically plant 100,000 trees throughout Marion County by 2017, this program helps to reduce crime, decrease pollution, and raise property value throughout our city, all by planting trees. Applications for NeighborWoods’s Tree Plantings are being accepted until November 1, 2011 for the spring 2012 plantings.

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization uniting people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement. In 2010, KIB engaged nearly 40,000 volunteers on 500 community improvement projects. To learn more, please visit www.kibi.org.
 

###