More Than a Building: How Waypoint Strategies Helped KIB Align Space, Systems, and Strategy

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB) had a vision: grow their community impact with a headquarters investment that truly supported their mission. But they knew that bricks and mortar alone wouldn’t get them there. Before making big moves, they turned inward, asking hard questions, listening across teams, and digging into how their operations could better serve the work ahead.

Waypoint Strategies had the privilege of guiding that process.

We designed this operational review to turn everyday space and systems into mission-aligned momentum. It reflects the kind of facility and operations support we offer to nonprofits, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations ready to scale with purpose.

An organization known for pouring its energy into others, KIB took this opportunity to invest that same care into itself, strengthening the systems and spaces that make its community impact possible.

Clarity, Not Construction, First

Before making any facility investments, KIB paused not out of hesitation but strategy. They knew space alone wouldn’t fuel their next chapter. Instead of jumping into construction, they stepped back to ask key operational questions such as:

• What are our current operational pain points?

• How are we using our space, fleet, and resources today?

• What do we need to enable the next phase of our mission?

This thoughtful approach leads to fewer surprises, more informed decisions, and a built environment that truly supports the work ahead.

Listening That Drives Alignment

Waypoint Strategies led KIB through a multi-phased operational review designed to bring clarity and alignment. At the heart of this process was the power of listening, not just to confirm assumptions but to surface new insights and ensure every voice was heard.

Through workshops with leaders, program staff, and operations teams, we captured the full spectrum of experience. Teams annotated floor plans with their needs and aspirations, helping us map how space was truly used and what it could become. We also evaluated facility and fleet usage, scheduling patterns, and resource allocation to uncover inefficiencies and opportunities.

The result? Actionable recommendations delivered across three timelines: immediate, near term, and long term, all aligned to KIB’s future vision.

Short-Term Wins That Stuck

The final report gave KIB a clearer picture of how to amplify what’s working without overinvesting in what’s not. Some of the most effective changes were surprisingly simple: Outlook check-out slots for vehicles, realigned storage, and workspace adjustments to support collaboration.

These weren’t flashy renovations, but they made a real difference in daily operations, morale, and mission delivery.

A Long-Term Strategy Grounded in Data

The roadmap offered scalable improvements across three phases:

• Short term: Streamline operations for immediate relief.

• Midterm: Optimize space and workflows to support staff.

• Long term: Guide major decisions about building, buying, or reconfiguring facilities.

With this strategy in hand, KIB is equipped to move forward with clarity and confidence.

What Sets Waypoint Strategies Apart

At Waypoint Strategies, we go beyond checklists and floor plans. What sets our approach apart is our belief that space is strategic, and operations are personal. We engage from the inside out, building trust, uncovering insights, and aligning decisions with mission. For KIB, that meant not just streamlining operations but creating a shared vision supported by every team member.

Listening As Strategy

This project reinforced something we see often: stakeholder listening isn’t a courtesy, it’s a strategy. Front-line staff offer practical insights. Leadership provides vision. Program teams bring community perspective. By engaging all voices, KIB ensured their operational plan was grounded, inclusive, and supported.

In every corner of their facilities, from garage bays to garden plots, KIB staff are doing the gritty, hopeful work of making Indianapolis a more beautiful, sustainable place. Our role wasn’t to redesign that mission. It was to clear the brush, sharpen the tools, and help them move forward with clarity.

We didn’t just deliver a report. We delivered a path forward, rooted in who they are and where they want to go.

If your team is weighing a facility investment, start where KIB did, with clarity, alignment, and a partner who sees beyond the blueprint. Let’s talk about what’s next.