KOKeep Omaha Beautiful Inc
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About Keep Omaha Beautiful Inc
Keep Omaha Beautiful is the kind of organization that shows up in the everyday places people live, learn, and walk past. In Omaha, that means classrooms, park paths, schoolyards, storm drains, and public spaces where environmental stewardship becomes something you can actually do. For donors, the appeal is simple: this work is concrete. Kids learn about urban ecosystems and recycling, volunteers pull litter from public areas, trees go into schools and parks, and local waterways get a little more protection along the way.
What sets Keep Omaha Beautiful apart is how grounded it is in Omaha itself. Its programs move from environmental education to volunteer cleanup to tree planting, with recycling guidance and pollution prevention tied directly to the city’s daily life. It is local stewardship with a practical streak.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
K-12 environmental education programs and resources
Classroom resources, group programming, and outreach activities that help young people explore urban ecosystems, biodiversity, waste reduction, recycling, and water pollution prevention.
Professional development for educators
Training and certification workshops in environmental education curricula, including Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project WILD.
Trees for Tomorrow school program
A free, multi-week STEM-based school curriculum where students study trees and biodiversity and plant diverse tree species on school property.
Tree canopy improvement
Public tree-planting efforts that add diverse native trees in parks, trails, schools, and other public spaces.
Pollution prevention and Healthy Waterways
Educational resources and community service projects focused on stormwater pollution prevention and protecting local waterways.
Waste reduction and recycling education
Resources and guidance to help residents recycle right, reduce waste, reuse locally, and use the Omaha Recycling Guide.
Volunteer litter cleanups and Adopt-a-Spot
Volunteer service projects that include litter cleanups, monthly Adopt-a-Spot stewardship, and related community cleanup efforts.
Healthy Waterways volunteer projects
Volunteer projects that clean up litter around storm drain inlets and attach no-dumping decals on unmarked storm drains.
About this work
Mission
Keep Omaha Beautiful fosters environmental and community stewardship through education, service, and advocacy.
Who they serve
Omaha youth and adults, including schools, educators, volunteers, residents, and community groups.
Their impact
- 5,574 volunteers assisted with KOB’s efforts in 2024.
- Volunteers contributed more than 12,286 hours of service in 2024.
- Volunteers completed 398 litter cleanups of public areas in 2024.
- 37,000 pounds of litter were collected in 2024.
- KOB conducted environmental education programming and service-learning projects with 14,000 youth and adults in 2024.
- 485 native trees were planted at local public schools, parks, and streets in 2024.
- More than 55,653 online visitors engaged with the Omaha Recycle Right social-media campaign in 2024.
- KOB conducted environmental education certification workshops for 388 educators in 2024.
- 5,882 event participants engaged in waste reduction and recycling activities in 2024.
- Since 2018, KOB and its tree canopy improvement partners have planted more than 5,178 diverse trees throughout 125+ public spaces.
How your donation helps
- Support for education programs
- Pollution prevention initiatives
- Service projects that engage the community in environmental stewardship
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
“We really enjoyed having KOB in our classroom. Our students walked away more knowledgeable and motivated to make positive changes in the community.” - Local Educator
“Thank you again for such a great learning opportunity for our students all quarter. You showed our kids that they can do great things. Our students will never forget this!” - Principal of Pinewood Elementary Trees for Tomorrow School Program Participant
“During the recycling presentation, I learned a lot! We looked at different waste items and why certain things can’t be recycled. KOB resources helped simplify it for me!” - Omaha Resident Attendee at KOB's Community Forum
Grant support
$419,150 from 3 funders · through 2025 (IRS 990 records).
- THE SHERWOOD FOUNDATION — $40,000 (2025)2026 OPERATING GRANT
- JOHN K & LYNNE D BOYER FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2025)GENERAL SUPPORT
- THE SHERWOOD FOUNDATION — $40,000 (2024)2024 OPERATING GRANT
- THE SHERWOOD FOUNDATION — $40,000 (2024)2025 OPERATING GRANT
- JOHN K & LYNNE D BOYER FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2024)GENERAL SUPPORT
- THE SHERWOOD FOUNDATION — $40,000 (2023)2023 OPERATING GRANT
- JOHN K & LYNNE D BOYER FOUNDATION — $10,000 (2023)GENERAL SUPPORT
- THE SHERWOOD FOUNDATION — $40,000 (2022)2022 OPERATING GRANT
Events
Topgolf Fundraiser
annualAnnual fundraising event that supports education programs, pollution prevention initiatives, and service projects.
Kiewit Luminarium Exploration Stations
select datesHands-on environmental activities offered at the Kiewit Luminarium on select dates.
Star Spangled Cleanup Opportunities
annualCommunity cleanup efforts during the week of the Fourth of July that focus on litter and spent fireworks.
America Recycles Day
annual, November 15An annual observance with activities that promote waste reduction, energy savings, and resource conservation.
Giving Tuesday
annual, Tuesday after ThanksgivingA local giving day when supporters are encouraged to donate to Keep Omaha Beautiful.
Durham Teachers Night
2026, Friday, October 2A free event where educators can meet KOB staff and learn about classroom resources and training programs.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Keep Omaha Beautiful Inc has shared.
Current needs
- Schools interested in participating in the Trees for Tomorrow program
- Sponsors for KOB’s Topgolf Fundraiser
- Community participants for litter cleanups and Adopt-a-Spot stewardship
- Volunteers for Healthy Waterways projects
Volunteer opportunities
- Litter cleanup volunteers for neighborhoods, parks, and business corridors
- Adopt-a-Spot monthly stewardship volunteers
- Healthy Waterways volunteers for storm drain cleanups and no-dumping decals
- Corporate cleanup event participants
- Special event volunteers
Recognition & press
In the media
- Wasteline, coverage of Keep Omaha Beautiful’s first curbside recycling program
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
What does the Trees for Tomorrow school program include?
It is a free, multi-week STEM-based school curriculum with hands-on activities, tailored educational materials, and tree planting on school property.
What volunteer work can people do with Keep Omaha Beautiful?
Volunteers can help with litter cleanups, Adopt-a-Spot stewardship, Healthy Waterways storm-drain projects, corporate cleanup events, and special event support.
What do educator workshops provide?
They offer professional development and certification in environmental education curricula, including Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project WILD.
What recycling resources does Keep Omaha Beautiful offer?
It offers a Recycling and Reuse Guide, the Omaha Recycling Guide search tool, Orange Bag Program information, and holiday recycling resources.
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