The purpose of the Riverside Development Committee is to lead the congregation and staff of The Riverside Church in the development of a comprehensive strategic plan to address how our property can be more effectively used not only to positively impact our community but also to ensure our long-term fiscal sustainability.
With the purchase of McGiffert Hall, Riverside now owns the entire two-city-block site bounded by 120th Street, Riverside Drive, 122nd Street, and Claremont Avenue, which includes a variety of structures. This is a wonderful and valuable gift from God that will help to financially support our church ministries while providing us with an unprecedented opportunity to greatly expand our social services.
Riverside has always been a tremendous partner and advocate for social justice within our community as well as throughout the nation and the world. With God’s guidance, we can increase our beneficial outreach to this community and beyond by:
– Working with our neighbors in Morningside Heights and Harlem to help meet their needs.
– Strengthening our existing community bonds and forging new relationships.
– Sustaining our financial health for generations to come.
The RDC has five subcommittees: 1) Real Estate Assessment; 2) Communications; 3) Greening; 4) Community Assessment; and 5) Congregational Survey. In close consultation and collaboration with the congregation and staff, we are hard at work in developing a multi-faceted strategic plan that will cover:
Mission enhancement
– Ministry growth
– Revenue generation
– Property development
As The Riverside Church celebrates its 90th Anniversary in 2020, we are committed to faithfully stewarding the tremendous assets that God has so graciously bestowed upon us. The RDC’s subcommittees will continue working throughout the coming year, and will provide regular updates to the congregation. Our hope is to complete the strategic plan by the end of 2021 and to present the final report to the Church Council and the congregation in early 2022.