Riverside Industries Accelerates Growth: Strategic planning success Through Wright Collective Partnership
Anticipating major funding cuts from Medicaid, MassHealth, and the DOE—and facing broad uncertainty—Riverside Industries recognized the need for a multi-year strategic plan that served as a flexible decision-making framework rather than a static roadmap. Wright Collective was crucial in shaping the strategic framework centered on three pillars: people, programs, and place. Over the past year, this plan and framework has allowed the organization to stay agile, avoid the limitations of traditional planning, and remain ahead of evolving funding challenges.
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CHALLENGES
WC INTERVENTION
RESULTS
Riverside needed mission-aligned programs that also contributed to financial sustainability. New initiatives required a consistent evaluation framework to avoid mission drift.
Riverside Industries was contemplating what to do with the building. It was not aligned with their mission and space utilization was inconsistent and not financially sustainable.
The building’s potential as a community hub and revenue generator was not being maximized
Leadership needed a way to make decisions without being locked into rigid priorities.
Wright Collective designed a flexible, values-driven strategic plan anchored in mission, vision, and values rather than fixed initiatives and included a decision-making tool to guide real-time choices during rapid change.
Leadership makes consistent, mission-aligned decisions even in turbulent conditions.
Riverside can now pivot quickly and confidently.
Building now attracts creative small businesses and entrepreneurs with over 10 new tenants joined within one month.
Riverside has become a dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem instead of a subsidized landlord.
New 2–5pm teen program launched as a fee-for-service model and created a youth pipeline into future Riverside programs.
WC evaluated the building and introduced collaborative, revenue-sharing opportunities with tenants.
Allowed a natural transition for legacy tenants while opening the building to new entrepreneurs and allow for the building to support revenue generation for the organization.
Used the strategic plan’s decision-making tool to assess and greenlight new programming.
Developed a Teen Enrichment program aligned with mission and revenue goals.
Riverside’s arts program was under-recognized despite being a strength.
The building lacked a strong public identity
As arts are a defining part of Riverside’s identity.Stronger brand presence and community connection.
Additionally the store has increased foot traffic and interest from partners and donors.
Moved the art program to a visible front-facing location and expanded visibility of participant artists.
Company Mission
FOUNDER
Lynn Ireland, PhD
Markus Jones
Empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their opportunities for acceptance, independence, personal growth, and employment throughout their lives.
FOUNDING YEAR
1968
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Testimonial
“I’ve worked with many nonprofit consultants over the years, and it’s rare to find a team like Wright Collective. They are brilliant, energetic, and truly creative thinkers—qualities that are hard to come by in our field. They pushed us to think differently and guided us onto a path that has fundamentally strengthened our organization. Given everything happening in the world right now, I’m confident that without their leadership, we would be scrambling for a lifeline. Instead, we’re steady, proactive, and positioned to make thoughtful decisions no matter what unfolds. The Wright Collective team’s impact has been transformative, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with them.”
Markus Jones
Sr. Director of Development & Strategic Operations