Another Great Year Keeping Iowa Beautiful | |
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Do you want to hear more about the great work Keep Iowa Beautiful has done over the past year?
It’s been an exciting year for KIB. Read our annual report to learn about how we led betterment initiatives in 60+ communities, helped refresh 130 buildings with new paint, and much more. Check out the 2022-23 annual report, which is now online at keepiowabeautiful.org/publications.
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Keep Iowa Beautiful Annual Photography Contest Submissions Are Now Closed | |
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The Keep Iowa Beautiful 14th Annual Photography Contest closed on Dec. 16 and judging will now commence. The annual contest features over $2,000 in cash prizes and five categories for entry:
- Iowa Landscape
- Iowa Water
- Iowa Cities
- Iowans in Action
- Iowa Wildlife
“The quality of this year's photo submissions was impressive, and it really shows how much Iowans care about their state,” said Andy Frantz, Keep Iowa Beautiful Executive Director. “The submitted photographs truly showcase the beauty and spirit of Iowa."
A panel of judges will now deliberate, narrow down entries and select winners. Winning entries are expected to be announced in February 2024. Keep an eye on Keep Iowa Beautiful's social media for the announcement!
To view prior years' winning photos, visit: https://keepiowabeautiful.org/photography-contest/winners/
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Scholarship Applications Due in January | |
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Keep Iowa Beautiful is thrilled to accept submissions for our 2024 scholarships. These $1,000 scholarships are a tribute to significant figures in Keep Iowa Beautiful history who have made remarkable contributions to Iowa communities.
Don't forget to work on scholarship applications over winter break!
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Paint Iowa Beautiful Grants Now Open | |
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Grant applications are now open for the Paint Iowa Beautiful program, a collaboration between Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel Paint. This fantastic program offers free paint to a diverse range of community projects, enhancing the aesthetics of neighborhoods and public spaces.
In the meantime, check out some recent examples of Paint Iowa Beautiful grants at work!
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This beautiful mural in the children's library of the Vinton Public Library in Vinton, Iowa, was created thanks to a Paint Iowa Beautiful grant from Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel.
An "Under the Sea" mural now graces the south wall of the children's library in the basement of the Vinton Public Library, which was previously a dark brown wall.
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The City of Miles, Iowa, recently completed a Paint Iowa Beautiful project with their grant from Keep Iowa Beautiful and Diamond Vogel Paint.
City maintenance employees painted city hall, as well as the outside of the park bathrooms. The bathrooms, previously a chipped white, are now painted grey. The city hall, previously blue, boasts a new coat of grey paint as well.
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Hometown Pride: News and Updates | |
Keep Iowa Beautiful's Hometown Pride program brings coaches, community members and volunteers together to drive positive change in Iowa’s hometowns. Check out some of the great work happening in our Hometown Pride Communities! | |
Earlville Hometown Pride Hosts Walk and Discussion
Last month, residents of Earlville participated in a walk around the city with the local Hometown Pride group and the Iowa Economic Development Authority, with an evening discussion afterwards. Approximately 20 people gathered to tour the city, exchange ideas and explore possible Catalyst grants that could help downtown properties.
Earlville was also recently featured in local news coverage about their new Hometown Pride program's visioning efforts. Great work, Earlville Hometown Pride!
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Shellsburg Hosts Grand Opening for New Bridge, Hometown Pride Sip & Shop
On Nov. 16, the City of Shellsburg held a grand opening ceremony for its new bridge as well as a Hometown Pride Sip & Shop event. Both events had a great community turnout!
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Calamus-Wheatland Hometown Pride Receives Grant for New Fitness Center
Calamus-Wheatland Hometown Pride received a grant from Clinton County Development Association in the amount of $25,728.83 for the new 24-hour Fitness Center in Calamus.
This grant completes the full funding of the Fitness Center, and it's expected to open shortly.
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Consider Making a Donation to
Keep Iowa Beautiful This Giving Season
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Dear Keep Iowa Beautiful supporters,
As the founder and CEO of Casey's General Store, I've witnessed the strength and charm of Iowa's small towns firsthand. I'm reaching out to share my passion for Keep Iowa Beautiful, a nonprofit founded in 2000 by former Governor Robert D. Ray and myself. Our mission is to empower Iowans to enhance communities through cultural and economic vitality. Affiliated with Keep America Beautiful, our organization has made a significant impact through anti-litter programs, public space beautification, volunteer events, and the Hometown Pride coaching program.
Looking ahead to 2024, we aim to expand the Hometown Pride Program to 15 additional communities and secure two years of sustainable funding, requiring $40,000 during this end-of-year campaign. I've personally contributed, and I invite you to join me in supporting this transformative cause. Your generosity will directly impact communities, fostering growth and creating a positive ripple effect across Iowa.
Warm regards,
Don Lamberti
Keep Iowa Beautiful Co-Founder
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Keep Iowa Beautiful wants to share your community’s good news!
Are you proud of a completed project in your town? Do you want to show off a new mural in your downtown? Did you host a fun, exciting event for your community? We want to know about it!
Click on the button below to share short descriptions of events, projects, or news from your town, or tag Keep Iowa Beautiful on your social media posts!
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You can help reduce litter in Iowa!
When you see litter happening on Iowa’s roadways, call 1-888-NOLITTR (1-888-665-4887) to report littering from a vehicle.
Please provide as much detail about the incident as possible:
- License plate number
- Time and specific location (street & city)
- What was thrown from the vehicle
- A vehicle description (color, make and model)
Reported offenders will receive a warning letter from Keep Iowa Beautiful drawing attention to their offense. This sends the message that people, like you, are watching.
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Your Support Matters!
Consider supporting Keep Iowa Beautiful to help us continue our work improving Iowa communities! Remember: donations to Keep Iowa Beautiful are tax deductible!
Donations can be made online or checks can be mailed to our office:
Keep Iowa Beautiful
2910 Westown Pkwy. Suite 302
West Des Moines, IA 50266
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KEEP IOWA BEAUTIFUL
2910 Westown Parkway, Suite 302 | West Des Moines, IA 50266
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