Keep Cincinnati Beautiful Inc

Programs

1. Our Arts Program brings color and vibrancy to Cincinnati neighborhoods, demonstrating commitment to and care for overlooked spaces. We saw a decrease of 26% blight and 18% crime in the areas we served in 2024. We believe that through collaboration art is a catalyst for community transformation. Working in partnership with neighborhoods, non-profits, local companies, and other artists, our team alongside volunteers artistically improve and reimagine neglected spaces. Eyesores in a community like vacant buildings, crumbling retaining walls, abandoned alleys, and vandalized traffic boxes are transformed into community assets through site specific, dynamic works of art. Collectively our work aims to reduce blight, crime, and litter, while increasing economic development and access to public art. Our multifaceted artistic approach to neighborhood improvement and engagement serve as positive interventions to promote equity and improve the quality of life for all residents of Cincinnati.

   $115,892 spentof which $17,153 as grants
   13% of program spending

2. Over the past 20 years, KCB has provided free educational opportunities to a variety of groups with the goal of cultivating community stewardship and the connection between people, passion, and place. In 2024 we reached 1083 students through 36 departmental events. Our current education initiatives feature a hands-on approach to learning, allowing students to get out of the classroom and learn new skills. We hope these good stewards become future leaders in their communities who work alongside the city and community partners like KCB to envision and actualize a greener Cincinnati. Our Tree the CRC initiative supports the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan to increase equity of the urban tree canopy focusing on Cincinnati Recreation Centers and playgrounds in areas of the city that are currently under the 40% the Green Cincinnati Plan seeks to maintain. This year nearly 200 students earned community service hours toward their graduation seals participating in the program. In the pilot year of our new Roots to Boots initiative, a paid workforce development program that prepares young adults for careers in horticulture, landscaping, and greenspace management we saw the completion of over…

   $111,621 spentof which $33,833 as grants
   13% of program spending

3. Our Greenspace and Environmental Services programs are aimed at helping improve neighborhoods across Cincinnati where ecological issues occur, equitable life is not flourishing, and consequential community infrastructures are in need of support. Through our Spaces to Places projects we aim to provide assistance for Cincinnatians by turning overgrown, vacant spaces into clean, green, healthy, and beautiful places filled with life in the neighborhoods of our wonderful Queen City. The goal of the program is to be able to build equitable and healthy communities by encouraging people to restore underutilized public spaces into socially, culturally, and environmentally responsible spaces that reflect the social character of the neighborhood. Through strategic community partnerships and a strong working relationship with the Cincinnati Police Department, Department of Public Services, and the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, we also are working to eradicate illegal dumping through dumpsite monitoring and volunteer cleanup days. Together we cleaned up 247,483 pounds of debris (roughly the size of one blue whale) this past fiscal year. We had 1350+ vehicles participate in our Don't Dump…

   $110,058 spentof which $47,044 as grants
   13% of program spending

4. Part of the core mission of our organization is to uplift community-driven beautification efforts. We utilize community engagement in all of our program areas to ensure the goals that we work towards are in line with the wants and needs of the neighborhoods we work in. Working alongside stakeholders, partners, and residents allows us to be intentional in our efforts to equitably improve our city's public spaces. This collaboration allows us to understand the unique challenges and opportunities within each neighborhood, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among residents. The Safe and Clean initiative is intended for projects based on crime prevention through environmental design where improved beautification enhances community ownership and reduces violence. This funding is open for organizations prioritizing youth-led initiatives to promote positive physical changes in neighborhoods. Specific focus points are established for each grant cycle and include priorities like engaging youth leaders, promoting physical changes in environment and shared spaces, implementing crime prevention principles through environmental design, enhancing community ownership, and focusing on…

   $533,672 spentof which $350,141 as grants
   61% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $871,243.