Riverview Gardens, Inc.

What Riverview Gardens, Inc. does

Riverview Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization headquartered in Appleton, Wisconsin that operates a portfolio of workforce-training and agricultural social enterprises on a 72-acre former country-club property. Founded in 2011 and operational since 2012, the organization serves individuals facing employment barriers in the Fox Valley region through its ServiceWorks program—a 90-hour job-readiness curriculum—and connects graduates to a network of 80+ employer partners, with cumulative outcomes of 1,612 lifetime job placements and a 76% stable-employment retention rate. In 2024 alone, the program served 268 participants, produced 89 graduates, and supported 227 placements at a 73% success rate, supported by 15,000 community volunteers and 50+ collaborating organizations.

The organization's production layer spans six social enterprises: an Urban Farm, USDA Certified Organic Hydroponic Greenhouses, Aquaponics (launched November 2019 with a Neenah location), Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) with individual shares at $500 and corporate shares at $5,000, Maintenance Contracts, the C.A.R.E. Team, and an Event Space. Technology infrastructure includes the Microsoft FarmBeats for AgRobotics platform, deployed in 2018, which uses IoT sensors, Azure IoT Edge processing, and machine learning to automate and predict irrigation, fertilization, and environmental conditions across greenhouse operations. Adult Culinary Program and Earn-A-Bike extensions diversify training pathways into food-services and mobility-access verticals.

The business model is multi-channel and 100% privately funded with no government or United Way support. Revenue is generated through CSA subscriptions (individual and corporate), wholesale produce distribution to retailers including 22 Festival Foods stores, landscape maintenance contracts, event-space rentals, foundation grants (historical six-figure awards including a $177,803 grant), and individual and corporate donations. The model effectively cross-subsidizes job training through a diversified earned-revenue base, while fundraising activity supports fixed programming costs.

Name

Riverview Gardens, Inc.

Legal name

Riverview Gardens, Inc.

Website

https://riverviewgardens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Riverview Gardens, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Appleton, Wisconsin operating a 90-hour job-training program and a portfolio of urban farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, CSA, maintenance, and event-space social enterprises on a 72-acre campus, serving individuals facing employment barriers with 80+ employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Social Enterprise

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Aquaculture (11251), Support Activities for Crop Production (11511), Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production (1114)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Water-Smart Irrigation & Water Stewardship (Drip/Micro, Scheduling, Water Harvesting) (AFAGAMAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water Source Development & Conveyance (Intakes, Canals, Pipelines) (AFACAFAH)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• Job skills programs
• Social enterprise agriculture
• Urban organic farming
• Community supported agriculture

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CSA Program: Community Supported Agriculture shares sold to individuals and corporations. Individual shares at $500 for 12 weeks of produce, corporate shares at $5,000 for 10 shares with delivery. 100% of profits reinvested into mission.
2. Produce and Product Sales: Wholesale produce sales to institutions and retailers. Hydroponically-grown living lettuce sold through 22 Festival Food Stores, Free Market, and ThedaCare hospitals. Organic produce from urban farm sold through multiple channels.
3. Facility Rental and Event Space: Community Center and event venue revenue from corporate meetings, weddings, and special events. Multi-use collaborative space serving mission while generating facility use fees.
4. Maintenance Contracts: Contracts with non-profit organizations, churches, and for-profit organizations for general building maintenance, summer lawn care, and winter snow shoveling. Revenue reinvested in ServiceWorks program.
5. C.A.R.E. Team Services: Supplemental downtown cleaning services collaboration with City of Appleton and Appleton Downtown, Inc. Provides transitional employment and job-training opportunities for ServiceWorks participants.
6. Donations and Grants: 100% privately funded non-profit. Accepts financial gifts, stock donations, planned giving, and in-kind donations. Received $100,000 matching gift from Mary Beth Nienhaus, $25,000 national grant, $50,000 J.J. Keller Foundation match challenge, and $177,803 collaborative grant for veterans program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Riverview Gardens operates an integrated portfolio of social enterprises that deliver a 90-hour transferable work-skills job-training program (ServiceWorks) and a 6-week Adult Culinary Program. Revenue-generating enterprises include a 15-acre USDA-certified organic Urban Farm, Hydroponic Greenhouses, an Aquaponics facility, CSA produce subscriptions, Maintenance Contracts, an Event Venue, and a C.A.R.E. Team cleaning service.

Product overview

Riverview Gardens, Inc. is a non-profit organization operating five interconnected social enterprises that serve as the 'mission muscle' for its job-training programs. The portfolio includes: the core ServiceWorks job-training program (90-hour transferable work skills training with three-year placement success support); the Urban Farm (15 acres of certified-organic farmland); Hydroponic Greenhouses (year-round controlled environment agriculture); Aquaponics (soil-less fish and vegetable production); Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce subscription; Adult Culinary Program (Wisconsin Restaurant Association-approved training); Earn-A-Bike (transportation assistance); Meeting/Event/Park Space (venue rental); Maintenance Contracts; and C.A.R.E. Team (downtown cleaning services). Programs also include D.O.O.R.S. peer-led activities and the annual Chopped culinary fundraiser. These enterprises provide unlimited job-training opportunities while generating revenue for financial sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ServiceWorks: Job-training program for individuals with barriers to employment
• C.A.R.E. Team
• D.O.O.R.S.
• Chopped: Farm to Fork to Work

Products and services

• ServiceWorks 90-hour trauma-informed job-training program teaching four transferable work principles (use of time, quality of work, relationships with peers, attitude toward supervisors) with a three-year Placement Success Program supporting graduates after job placement.
• Urban Farm 15-acre USDA Certified Organic farm producing local organic produce distributed through CSA shares and wholesale institutional/retail channels including Festival Food Stores and ThedaCare hospitals.
• Hydroponic Greenhouses Controlled-environment hydroponic greenhouse producing year-round lettuce, herbs, microgreens, and tomatoes using 90% less water than traditional growing methods; built over the former country club swimming pool and locker rooms.
• Adult Culinary Program No-cost 6-week culinary training program with hands-on chef instruction, life-skills coaching, barrier identification, and ServSafe/Restaurant Ready certification, with job placement assistance in food service.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) 12-week produce subscription offering 6-8 items of local organic produce weekly. Individual shares at $500 (pickup at farm) and corporate shares at $5,000 for 10 shares (with delivery for 10+ shares). 100% of profits reinvested in the mission.
• Earn-A-Bike Program in which community members volunteer 15 hours at Riverview Gardens in exchange for a commute-worthy bicycle with lock, light, and helmet, plus free lifetime repairs and tune-ups.
• Meeting, Event and Park Space Community Center venue for wedding ceremonies/receptions, corporate meetings, funeral/memorial luncheons, showers, and special events, featuring Fox River views and a commercial kitchen for culinary training.
• Maintenance Contracts Contracted building maintenance, summer lawn care, and winter snow shoveling services for non-profit organizations, churches, and for-profit organizations, delivered by ServiceWorks job-training participants.
• C.A.R.E. Team Clean Assess Refresh Enhance Team providing supplemental downtown cleaning services in partnership with the City of Appleton and Appleton Downtown, Inc., offering transitional employment to ServiceWorks participants.
• Aquaponics Soil-less farming combining recirculating aquaculture and hydroponics to produce fish and vegetables year-round using only 10% of the water required for traditional ground-soil growing, located in the Neenah facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• 76% remain stably employed
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and foundational.

• Feeding America Eastern WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2021Farm Link partnership representing ideal collaboration between two organizations dedicated to helping the most vulnerable community members. Weekly pickup of fresh, GMO-free lettuce from hydroponics facility. Fresh produce is one of the most frequently requested items by food bank members. Working together to solve hunger in eastern Wisconsin through 600+ affiliated agencies in 35 counties.
• Microsoft TechSparkflagshipTechnology or Integration · 2 October 2018FarmBeats and Airband technology partnership providing digital transformation of urban farm and hydroponic greenhouse. Uses drones, ground-based sensors, cameras, and TV white spaces connectivity. Azure IoT Edge delivers cloud intelligence locally. Data-driven insights for soil irrigation, fertilizer application, water temperature, pH balance, and nutrient levels. First in the nation to utilize FarmBeats initiative.
• City of AppletoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2016C.A.R.E. Team collaboration providing job-training and transitional employment for ServiceWorks participants. Supplements existing downtown cleaning services within business improvement district. Received collaborative grant for Downtown Appleton CARE Project.
• Appleton Downtown, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2016C.A.R.E. Team collaboration for downtown cleaning services. Provides low barrier entrance into ServiceWorks job training program. Participants receive transferable work skills training while enhancing downtown business district.
• Fox Cities Housing CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember organization working on housing issues and homelessness in the Fox Cities region. Collaborates on addressing root causes of unemployment, poverty, and homelessness through social innovation approaches.
• Appleton Area School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal collaboration to address unemployment as root cause of homelessness and poverty for high school youth. ServiceWorks programming provides 1/2 credit of independent study for program completion. Summer of Service partnership for 10th-12th grade students.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner and participation site for Summer of Service initiative recognizing and promoting potential of Appleton area youth. Collaboration implementing evidence-based practices through safe housing, permanent connections, employment/education, and well-being.
• AmeriCorps / The Weight of the Fox ValleycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriCorps host site in partnership with The Weight of the Fox Valley. Community Engagement Coordinator serves as AmeriCorps member responsible for recruiting volunteers, engaging youth in health education, and teaching sustainable food systems.
• Lawrence UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts Music for All chamber concerts at Community Center. Partnership for chamber music series bringing cultural programming to Fox Valley community.
• UW Oshkosh Vet CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly veteran-focused AmeriCorps program in Wisconsin and one of few in the nation. Helps veterans integrate back into civilian life after military service. Collaborates on outreach to military members and veterans for volunteer opportunities and job training program enrollment.
• Marquette UniversityfoundationalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of Social Innovation Leadership Experience (SILE) executive program. The inaugural SILE class inspired Executive Director Cindy Sahotsky to create Riverview Gardens as innovative response to poverty and unemployment.
• Miron Construction CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner for hydroponic greenhouse built over former country club pool. Contributed innovation and hard work to complete the unique facility conversion.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Rubicon Programs: Established Bay Area non-profit providing workforce development, housing, and behavioral health services. Operates social enterprises to fund its mission and serves individuals facing barriers to employment, comparable in mission breadth to Riverview Gardens' integrated social enterprise approach.
• Per Scholas: National non-profit that provides tuition-free technology training and career advancement for adults from underserved communities. Comparable in workforce-development mission and outcomes reporting rigor, though focused on IT rather than agriculture and culinary paths.

Emerging players

• FRESHFARM: DC-area non-profit that operates farmers markets, farm-to-school programs, and an urban food hub with workforce-development elements. Comparable in operating food-system social enterprises and in connecting local producers with regional food access, though without Riverview Gardens' formal ServiceWorks-style job training.
• Big Green: National non-profit that builds garden-based learning experiences in low-income schools, with a growing focus on food access and education. Adjacent to Riverview Gardens' mission in connecting food systems with community outcomes, though primarily K-12 focused rather than job-training focused.

Direct peers

• Green City Force: New York City-based non-profit that trains young adults from public housing in urban agriculture and clean energy. Operates rooftop farms on NYCHA buildings and combines workforce development with food production, closely mirroring Riverview Gardens' urban-agriculture-plus-job-training model for underserved populations.
• Real Food Farm: Baltimore urban farm operated by Civic Works that grows produce on city land and provides job training and youth apprenticeship opportunities. Combines controlled-environment agriculture with workforce development, comparable to Riverview Gardens' integrated approach.
• Urban Roots: Austin, Texas non-profit that uses sustainable agriculture to transform the lives of young people. Engages at-risk youth on a working farm through paid internships and leadership programs, paralleling Riverview Gardens' ServiceWorks and youth programming on its urban farm.
• Cultivate KC: Kansas City non-profit that supports urban agriculture and food systems in the metro area. Like Riverview Gardens, it operates as a community-based organization with a farm footprint and works to connect food production with community benefit, though with less focus on formal job-training cohorts.
• Center for Employment Opportunities: National non-profit providing transitional employment and job-readiness training for people returning home from incarceration. Comparable to ServiceWorks in its focus on populations with significant barriers to employment and its structured placement success approach.
• Acta Non Verba: Oakland, California non-profit urban farm that engages youth and families through paid CSA shares and farm education. Closely mirrors Riverview Gardens' combination of CSA revenue, youth development, and farm-based community programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/riverviewgardns
• Facebookfacebook.com/riverviewgardns/?eid=ARAV1VGQGtfOl_SLEZGOibK67FHgs8RkrvLV5zXfMh_puIeU08VcwXRzUdTfrAfh1A-Xx-wlQAOFxYfjhttps
• Instagraminstagram.com/riverviewgardens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/riverview-gardens

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Riverview Gardens, Inc.