Our History
Cincinnati is beautiful. We are committed to keeping it that way.
We have helped to keep Cincinnati clean, green, and beautiful since 1978. In 1993 our name was changed from the Clean Cincinnati Commission but our mission has stayed the same. Over the years our work has grown to include five programs; Great American Cleanup, Environmental Services, Green Space, Arts, and Education.
Our programs are a catalyst for change, transforming under-served neighborhoods and empowering communities to create vibrant spaces that unite our city. In just the past 10 years we have educated 200,000+ children, planted 100,000+ trees and flowers, coordinated 120,000+ volunteers, and painted 1,000+ buildings. Perhaps our greatest impact is what people don’t see, like the eight million pounds of litter and 42,000+ tires collected, 7,000+ graffiti tags removed and dozens of illegal dumpsites shut down. These efforts create a better today and a brighter tomorrow for all who call Greater Cincinnati home.
Mission & Vision
It is our mission to empower all Cincinnatians to build community and create a positive future through revitalization, education, and mobilization.
Vision
Cincinnati is Beautiful, for keeps. A safe, clean, and beautiful Cincinnati.
Values
Kindness, Fairness, Love, Honesty, Humor
Focus
Build environmental stewardship in all neighborhoods
keys to success
Respectful
We take great pride in our team, therefore we start with a foundation of trust and respect - it's easy and free. We strive to be forthright and resolve issues directly and respectfully, without passing them along.
Problem Solver
We anticipate problems, seek new solutions, and always do our best. We overcome obstacles to achieve the success we dream about and address those challenges without passing them along. We partner with subject matter experts so that we can focus on what we do best. We make long-term decisions and avoid short-term reactions, because with more input we make better decisions.
Community Minded
We take great pride in our work and community. We value our partnerships as a means of moving things forward. We create a feeling of community in all that we do - together we are stronger – and it makes us who we are.
Mindful
We practice warmth and genuine connection with others. We embrace our imperfections and practice humility – it’s important to recognize when we are wrong or to ask for help. We know that work-life balance is essential and value the importance of disconnecting. We smile, laugh, and have fun - it shows our authenticity.
Passionate
We love life and work and know our purpose in it. We insist on high standards and take pride in what we do - and the quality shows. We are relentless and value grit – pushing through even when things get difficult. We have genuine joy - yet humble delivery.
Team Player
We value compromise and collaboration and do what's best for the team without letting ego or personal agenda get in the way. We step up and ask, “How can I help?” We chip in and do our part - because many hands make for light work and is critical to our success.
Clear Communication
We value direct communication as a means of creating efficiency, understanding, and progress. We align on details and are considerate of others’ schedules as we work toward a common goal. Transparency and open communication resonate with us. We are present and engaged.
Reliable
We hold ourselves and others to high standards and are consistent role-models within our team. We drive accountability and decision-making at the right level. We recognize our weaknesses and are responsible for our actions. We honor our commitments and follow-up - as it’s a reflection of our organization.
Inclusive
We embrace diversity and foster belonging which allows our culture to thrive. We create space for others, embrace new perspectives, and get outside our comfort zone. We engage with those we don't know well, because that's how we alter perspective. We develop a level of understanding about each other, as a means to learn from one another.
Honest & Trustworthy
We are responsible for our actions, which builds on our foundation of trust and respect. We say what we mean and do what we say. We possess high integrity. We are ethical and strive to do the right thing – always.
Diversity & inclusion
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful is fully committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees and Board of Trustees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievement as well.
We embrace and encourage our employees’ and trustees’ and differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.
Keep Cincinnati Beautiful’s diversity initiatives are applicable—but not limited—to our practices and policies on recruitment and selection; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; layoffs; and terminations. All employees and trustees of Keep Cincinnati Beautiful have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off the work site, and at all other company-sponsored and participative events.
We are committed to the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of diversity equity that encourages and enforces:
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Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
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Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.
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Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying needs.
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Employer and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for the diversity.