Our Values
We believe a beautiful city is one where everyone feels welcome, heard, and empowered.
At Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, our work is rooted in respect: for people, for nature, and for the neighborhoods that make up Indianapolis. We’re committed to creating a city where all communities can thrive.
We understand that environmental challenges, social injustice, and economic barriers often overlap and they don’t affect every neighborhood equally. We recognize our responsibility to be part of the solution, that’s why we act with care, listen deeply, and stay accountable to the communities we serve.
We lead with our values. Here’s how they guide our work every day:
- Teamwork: We believe meaningful change happens when people work together. We seek input from neighbors, partners, and team members across every background, and we approach our work with curiosity, openness, and mutual respect. Everyone’s voice matters.
- Accountability: We celebrate our wins, learn from our mistakes, and grow together. We listen with intention, act with integrity, and hold ourselves accountable to the people and places we serve.
- Excellence: We push ourselves to go beyond the expected. Whether we’re planting trees or planning citywide cleanups, we’re always looking for ways to improve and create lasting impact. Progress matters more than perfection; but we aim for both. We learn from the past, adapt in the present, and work to build a stronger, more resilient future.
- Welcoming All Voices: We celebrate the many identities, experiences, and stories that make Indianapolis unique. We work to ensure our staff, volunteers, partners, and neighbors all feel seen, respected, and welcome in our spaces and programs.
- Balance: Our mission is rooted in people and nature. We understand that thriving communities need both strong human connections and healthy natural environments. We balance urgency between short-term action and long-term change. We prioritize thoughtfully, knowing that sustainable impact requires intention.
- Joy: We approach our work with heart. We lead with kindness, show care for one another, and look for solutions even in tough moments. Our enthusiasm is grounded in hope.
Our Commitments
Creating belonging in our workplaces
We’re building a team culture that reflects the city we serve. That means creating an environment where all staff feel respected, empowered, and supported to bring their full selves to work. This includes:
- Continuing external evaluations of our workplace culture, with a focus on fairness and psychological safety
- Recruiting staff and board members with diverse lived experiences and perspectives
- Prioritizing ongoing training and learning opportunities that challenge bias and expand awareness
Strengthening community partnerships
We show up for our neighbors—and we stay. We commit to listening deeply, investing intentionally, and showing up consistently. Our goals include:
- Hosting open conversations with neighborhood advocates and community organizations to learn about their needs
- Reviewing our historical project investments to ensure resources are reaching areas with the greatest need
- Increasing opportunities for local and underrepresented businesses in our vendor partnerships
- Ensuring every volunteer, resident, and partner feels welcome, safe, and appreciated in every space where we work
Uplifting and supporting our volunteers
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our mission. We’re committed to creating experiences that are welcoming, meaningful, and fun. Whether someone joins us for one hour or every weekend, we ensure that:
- Every volunteer feels appreciated, supported, and part of the team
- Opportunities are accessible to individuals, families, schools, and groups from all backgrounds
- Projects are organized with care, safety, and community impact in mind
- Our gratitude is loud, visible, and heartfelt. Because we couldn’t do this work without you
This is a journey and while the work is ongoing, our resolve is strong. We know a more connected, compassionate, and flourishing Indianapolis is possible when we work together.
Updated: April 2, 2025