The KIB Strategic Plan

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to help people and nature thrive^TM in Indianapolis by engaging diverse communities, enhancing environmental equity, and building vibrant, inclusive public places.

OUR VISION

We envision a beautiful Indianapolis that is loved, cared for, and ecologically rich. A city defined by strong neighborhoods, inspiring places, and a clean, flourishing environment.

STRATEGIC PLAN SUMMARY

In February 2025, the Board of Directors of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) approved the organization’s new Strategic Plan, covering the next four years (2025 – 2028). This plan builds on our long-standing commitment to people and place, with a renewed focus on expanding environmental equity, deepening community connection, and sustaining our organization for the future.

Rooted in our internal and external values, the plan outlines four key goals that shape how we work across neighborhoods and alongside partners.

Goal 1: Program Innovation & Stewardship

We’re increasing the number and scale of our projects, investing in youth workforce development, maintaining the spaces we’ve already transformed, and launching creative, forward-thinking initiatives that inspire long-term environmental change.

How we’ll measure progress:

• Expanding our program footprint: We aim to grow our collective impact by 20%, from a baseline score of 87.58 to 105. This metric captures the breadth of our efforts across key areas, like trees planted, youth employed, acres restored, blocks beautified, and cleanups completed.
• Increasing long-term care investments: Stewardship is core to our mission. We’re committing to grow our annual investment in the maintenance and care of completed projects from $1.0 million to $1.2 million by 2027, ensuring our work remains vibrant and resilient over time.

Goal 2: Stakeholder Engagement

We’re enhancing the volunteer experience, expanding opportunities for community input and leadership, and collaborating more intentionally with partner organizations to ensure our work reflects the needs and priorities of Indianapolis neighborhoods.

How we’ll measure progress:

• Growing our volunteer base: By 2027, we plan to engage more than 20,700 volunteers annually—a 10% increase from our current baseline of nearly 19,000. These individuals are at the heart of our mission, and we’re committed to creating meaningful, inclusive opportunities to get involved.
• Doubling resident engagement: We’re focused on building deeper, more equitable relationships with community members across Indianapolis. By 2027, we aim to directly engage at least 4,000 residents each year, up from fewer than 2,000 today, through hands-on projects, listening sessions, and neighborhood-led initiatives.

Goal 3: Communicating Impact

We’re growing awareness of our mission, expanding educational efforts, and using research and measurement tools to demonstrate the value and outcomes of our work.

How we’ll measure progress:

• Improving constituent engagement: Using tools like Mailchimp, we’re tracking how well our stories, updates, and calls to action resonate with our supporters. We’re aiming to increase our average email engagement rate from 22% to 33%—a 50% improvement that reflects stronger connection and interest in our mission.

Goal 4: Organizational Sustainability

We’re completing our 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, diversifying funding sources, and fostering a culture of belonging, care, and professional development for our staff, ensuring KIB can continue to thrive for years to come.

How we’ll measure progress:

• Achieving our $5 million campaign goal: Through the 50th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign, we aim to raise $5 million in multi-year pledges by 2027. These funds will help us deepen our impact, support innovation, and secure KIB’s future.
• Strengthening financial resilience: We’re increasing the number of days of cash on hand from a range of 106–166 days to a target range of 135–180 days. This financial buffer helps us navigate challenges, invest in new opportunities, and ensure long-term stability.

Together, these goals reflect KIB’s vision for a greener, more connected Indianapolis—and our belief that a beautiful city begins with all of us.