Keep Texas Beautiful

What Keep Texas Beautiful does

Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, founded in 1967 as the Beautify Texas Council and renamed in 1985. It serves as the Texas state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and operates the largest environmental and community improvement network in the state, with nearly 300 affiliate communities reaching an estimated 17-19 million Texans annually. The organization mobilizes volunteers for litter cleanup, recycling, and beautification programs through flagship initiatives including the Great American Cleanup, Fall Sweep, and Keep Texas Waterways Clean. In 2025 alone, KTB activated over 99,380 volunteers who contributed 140,454 hours of service, cleaned 1,030 miles of waterways and 841 miles of roadways, and collected approximately 1.6 million pounds of trash and recycling.

KTB's product portfolio centers on community-based environmental programs supported by a modest technology infrastructure. The most notable technical asset is the Texas Litter Database, the first statewide litter database of its kind, developed in partnership with HARC and Black Cat GIS with funding from the Garver-Black Hilyard Family Foundation. The organization also operates Keep Texas Recycling, providing technical assistance, end-market contract negotiation support, and grant-writing services to 50 rural and underserved community partners, and has facilitated the recycling of 333 million pounds of material over 30 years. Youth-facing programs include the Young Texan Ambassadors leadership program and Making WAVES, a three-year EPA-funded initiative focused on Texas Gulf Coast protection. KTB also distributes branded recognition patches for Scouts and youth groups, and maintains a website and affiliate portal as its primary digital infrastructure.

KTB's revenue model is diversified across multiple nonprofit income streams. Business memberships are sold at $500 annually, providing SEO benefits, social media recognition, and affiliate network access. Major corporate sponsorships come from H-E-B, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, WM (Waste Management), Republic Services, Union Pacific, AEP Texas, Centerpoint Energy Foundation, and other partners who fund specific programs and initiatives. Additional revenue includes individual tax-deductible donations, specialty license plate royalties through MyPlates.com, state employee charitable campaign allocations (Code 035612), EarthShare Texas workplace giving, and pass-through grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for Texas Recycles Day Grants. The organization does not offer a technology platform, API, or SaaS product, and operates as a state affiliate within the national Keep America Beautiful network.

Name

Keep Texas Beautiful

Legal name

Keep Texas Beautiful, Inc.

Website

https://ktb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Keep Texas Beautiful is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 that operates the largest environmental and community improvement network in Texas, mobilizing nearly 300 affiliate communities and 99,000+ annual volunteers for litter cleanup, recycling, beautification, and youth environmental education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Business Memberships: Business memberships at $500 annually providing SEO benefits, social media recognition, access to affiliate network for team building, and use of KTB logo. Tax-deductible.
2. Corporate Sponsorships & Grants: Funding from corporate partners including H-E-B, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages, and other organizations for specific programs and initiatives.
3. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting KTB operations, core initiatives, and conservation priorities. KTB is a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID: 74-7055759).
4. Texas License Plates: Revenue from Keep Texas Beautiful specialty license plates available through MyPlates.com.
5. State Employee Charitable Campaign: Code 035612 for State Employee Charitable Campaign; Code 1898 for City of Austin employees (distributed to Keep Austin Beautiful).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Keep Texas Beautiful is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates community beautification, litter prevention, recycling support, and youth environmental education programs through a network of nearly 300 affiliate communities across Texas. It provides free cleanup supplies, planning toolkits, grant funding, training, technical assistance, and marketing support to communities, while also running an annual statewide conference and a business membership program. Its signature technology-enabled offering is the Texas Litter Database, a first-of-its-kind statewide litter tracking platform built with HARC and Black Cat GIS.

Product overview

Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB) operates as a non-profit community beautification organization with a portfolio of interconnected programs organized around three core focus areas: community beautification and litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, and youth engagement. Its flagship offerings include the Texas Litter Database — a first-of-its-kind statewide litter data collection and tracking platform — paired with hands-on cleanup initiatives (Great American Cleanup, Fall Sweep, Keep Texas Waterways Clean) that feed data into the database. The recycling arm, Keep Texas Recycling, provides rural communities with technical assistance, market access, and grant writing support, supplemented by the H-E-B Recycling for Texans Grants program which funds infrastructure. Youth programming includes the Young Texan Ambassadors leadership program and a Scout Pack recognition system with themed patches. KTB also manages a Business Membership program, an annual statewide conference, and a network of nearly 300 community affiliates. The organization does not offer a technology platform, API, or SaaS product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Keep Texas Recycling: Rural recycling program providing technical assistance, education, and access to markets to increase recycling in rural and underserved communities since 1994
• Young Texan Ambassadors
• Texas Litter Database
• Great American Cleanup
• Fall Sweep
• Keep Texas Waterways Clean
• Making Waves

Products and services

• Texas Litter Database A statewide, evidence-based litter data collection and tracking platform developed in partnership with HARC and Black Cat GIS, enabling volunteers, city governments, KTB Affiliates, and policymakers to track litter hotspots, conduct audits, and measure trends over time. It is the first statewide litter database of its kind in Texas.
• Great American Cleanup KTB's annual spring community cleanup program (March–May), part of Keep America Beautiful's national initiative, offering free cleanup supplies, toolkits, and event planning resources to affiliates and volunteers for beautification, recycling, and litter removal events across Texas.
• Fall Sweep KTB's annual fall cleanup program (September–November) providing free cleanup supplies, planning toolkits, and tips to volunteers, affiliates, and community groups organizing beautification projects across Texas.
• Keep Texas Waterways Clean A year-round program providing free waterway cleanup kits (trash bags, gloves, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray) and event hosting toolkits to communities within 30 miles of H-E-B store locations, supporting cleanups of rivers, lakes, coastlines, and streams across Texas.
• Keep Texas Recycling A multi-service recycling program focused on rural and underserved Texas communities since 1994, offering consultation on recycling implementation, contract negotiations with end-markets, grant writing services, public workshops, training, webinars, and technical assistance to 50+ community partners.
• H-E-B Recycling for Texans Grants A grant program partnering with H-E-B to invest in recycling infrastructure and education for small and rural Texas communities, providing funding for equipment (balers, buildings), community outreach, and educational materials to expand recycling access and capacity.
• Texas Recycles Day Grants Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 open to Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates and Keep Texas Recycling partners to strengthen existing recycling programs. Available for education/outreach, improvement projects, and infrastructure/equipment, funded in partnership with Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages.
• Our Texas Our Future Grants Grant program in partnership with H-E-B for projects in beautification, litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, water conservation, and wildlife protection. Requires KTB affiliate status in H-E-B service area.
• Making Waves A three-year EPA-funded initiative to protect and restore the Texas Gulf Coast by combining research, education, and youth engagement. The program includes a statewide art and slogan contest, cleanup events, and a behavior change campaign targeting litter prevention and plastic pollution reduction.
• Young Texan Ambassadors A 9-month service-learning and environmental education program for Texans ages 15–25, empowering youth to lead community cleanup and beautification projects while building leadership, communication, and project management skills, with a capstone project and access to the Leadership Council.
• Youth Resources (Scout Pack & Educator Resources) A youth recognition program offering five themed patches (Keep Texas Beautiful, I Keep Texas Beautiful, America Recycles Day, I Can Dig It, Keep Texas Waterways Clean) for Scouts and youth groups participating in cleanup and beautification activities, along with a curated set of educator resources including lesson plans and curriculum from external providers.
• Business Memberships An annual business membership program ($500/year) offering increased SEO visibility, social media recognition, access to the KTB affiliate network for volunteer team-building events, an electronic business badge, and a window decal, marketed as a tax-deductible way for businesses to demonstrate environmental stewardship.
• KTB Conference KTB's annual statewide educational conference (held each May) serving affiliate staff, volunteers, government officials, corporate partners, and community leaders with networking opportunities, breakout sessions, affiliate recognition, and expert presentations on environmental sustainability, community beautification, and litter prevention.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99,380+ volunteers activated and ~1.6 million pounds of trash & recycling collected in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• H-E-B / Our Texas, Our FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor program partner through the Our Texas, Our Future campaign providing grants for beautification, litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, water conservation, and wildlife protection. Also sponsors H-E-B Recycling for Texans Grants investing in rural recycling infrastructure. Supports Keep Texas Waterways Clean program.
• Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages / Arca ContinentalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor providing funding for Texas Recycles Day Grants since 2021. Partners on community recycling projects across Texas to celebrate Texas Recycles Day and expand recycling access.
• Garver-Black Hilyard Family FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder for the Texas Litter Database, the first statewide litter database of its kind, developed in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, HARC, and Black Cat GIS.
• Keep America BeautifulcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization. KTB is the Texas state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Participates in Great American Cleanup national program and other KAB initiatives.
• Texas Department of TransportationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on Adopt-a-Highway Program and Governor's Community Achievement Awards. Supports litter prevention and cleanup efforts across Texas roadways.
• Union PacificmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor through Union Pacific Building America program supporting community improvement initiatives.
• WM (Waste Management)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting KTB programs and cleanup events. Provides educational resources for K-5 students on recycling habits.
• Republic ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor providing Recycling Simplified Education Program with free lesson plans and materials for educators.
• Centerpoint Energy FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate foundation sponsor supporting Fall Sweep program and community improvement initiatives.
• Frontier Waste SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting KTB cleanup programs and community beautification efforts.
• Community Waste DisposalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner providing waste disposal support for community programs.
• AEP TexasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting KTB conference and community improvement programs.
• EarthShare TexasmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkplace giving partner. KTB is an EarthShare Texas member organization allowing employees to contribute through workplace giving campaigns.
• HARCcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in development of Texas Litter Database providing research expertise and data analysis capabilities for statewide litter tracking.
• Black Cat GIScoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in development of Texas Litter Database providing GIS technology and mapping capabilities for statewide litter data.
• Niagara CaresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Young Texan Ambassadors youth program and environmental education initiatives.
• Texas Disposal SystemsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConference presenting sponsor and corporate partner supporting KTB programs including school cafeteria composting initiatives.
• Grupo AlEn / AlEn USAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting KTB community beautification and environmental programs.
• SundtmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting Young Texan Ambassadors program and youth leadership development.
• Ocean ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working on marine debris and ocean conservation issues, aligning with KTB's Keep Texas Waterways Clean program.
• Texas Parks & Wildlife DepartmentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner providing resources for educators and supporting community outdoor and environmental education programs.
• Native Plant Society of TexasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting native plant and habitat conservation initiatives aligned with beautification programs.
• Texans for Clean WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization focused on clean water advocacy, aligning with KTB's waterway protection initiatives.
• State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide recycling advocacy coalition and partner supporting recycling initiatives and policy efforts.
• Texas Children in NatureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner initiative connecting children to nature through outdoor experiences, aligned with youth programs.
• Carton CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner working to increase carton recycling access across Texas communities.
• Pratt IndustriesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing recycling infrastructure support through paper and packaging recycling programs.
• Making WAVES (EPA Grant)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year EPA-funded initiative to protect and restore Texas Gulf Coast through environmental education, youth engagement, and litter prevention research.
• U.S. Environmental Protection AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency funding the Making WAVES initiative for Texas Gulf Coast protection and restoration.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Republic Services: Major U.S. waste management company and KTB corporate sponsor providing the Recycling Simplified Education Program. Comparable as a large incumbent in recycling and waste services whose partnership intersects KTB's recycling education and infrastructure programs.
• WM (Waste Management): Largest U.S. waste and recycling services company and KTB corporate sponsor supporting K-5 recycling education. Comparable as a broad industry incumbent whose ESG and education initiatives overlap KTB's recycling outreach mission.

Emerging players

• Surfrider Foundation: Volunteer-driven nonprofit running beach and waterway cleanups with chapter-based mobilization similar to KTB's affiliate model. Comparable around coastal cleanup engagement and volunteer activation, though focused on coastal beaches rather than inland Texas waterways.
• Ocean Conservancy: National nonprofit focused on marine debris and ocean conservation, listed as a KTB partner supporting the Keep Texas Waterways Clean program. Comparable on the waterway cleanup and policy-advocacy axis, though Ocean Conservancy operates nationally rather than at state scale.

Direct peers

• Keep America Beautiful: National parent organization of KTB and a network of state affiliates operating the same affiliate-driven litter prevention, recycling, and beautification model. Most directly comparable as the umbrella body sharing brand, programming (Great American Cleanup), and award frameworks with KTB.
• Keep Georgia Beautiful: State-level KAB affiliate operating the same community-led cleanup, recycling, and beautification model within Georgia. Closest structural peer to KTB in terms of affiliate network, corporate sponsorship mix, and state-wide environmental program delivery.
• Keep Florida Beautiful: Florida state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful running affiliate-driven cleanup, recycling, and waterway protection programs. Comparable as a state-scale nonprofit with coastal/waterway programs, corporate sponsorship, and youth engagement similar to KTB's Gulf Coast focus.
• Keep North Carolina Beautiful: North Carolina state affiliate of KAB operating litter prevention, recycling, and beautification programs through a community network. Comparable as a state-level peer with similar reliance on corporate partners, grants, and volunteer-driven cleanups.

Others

• EarthShare Texas: Texas workplace giving federation of which KTB is a member organization enabling payroll deduction donations. Comparable as a funding-channel partner supporting KTB's donation revenue stream via State Employee Charitable Campaign and corporate giving.
• State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR): Statewide recycling advocacy coalition partnering with KTB on recycling initiatives and policy efforts. Comparable as a Texas-focused ecosystem partner amplifying KTB's recycling policy and infrastructure work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/keeptxbeautiful
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2fg-bzpB4hoeagpjL-liLQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/KeepTxBeautiful
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keep-texas-beautiful
• Instagraminstagram.com/keeptxbeautiful

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Keep Texas Beautiful