Heart & Home: Riverside Homes Celebrates Five Years Strong as a ‘Company with Heart’

At Riverside Homes, we believe that homebuilding is about more than just construction—it’s about creating spaces where families flourish and communities grow stronger. That is why we are honored to be recognized once again as a 'Company with Heart' by Jacksonville Magazine for the fifth consecutive year. This prestigious award highlights businesses that not only achieve financial success but also make a meaningful impact through philanthropy, volunteerism, and community support in Northeast Florida. With only 20 businesses selected, our Riverside Homes team is incredibly proud to be among those recognized for making a difference in the community we call home. Read the feature here.

Honoring Riverside Homes’ Commitment to Community at the Jacksonville Naval Museum

This year, instead of a traditional awards luncheon, honorees gathered for a casual lunch and tour at the Jacksonville Naval Museum and the historic USS Orleck. The experience was a powerful reminder of how vital community support is in preserving landmarks and ensuring their longevity. Our Online Sales and Marketing Director, Andrea Johnson, and Operations Manager, Lindsey Bishop, proudly represented Riverside Homes at the event, accepting this recognition and celebrating our ongoing dedication to giving back.

A Commitment That Runs Deep: How Riverside Homes Supports Northeast Florida Nonprofits

At the heart of Riverside Homes is a deep-rooted commitment to giving back. Owners Matt Roberts and Chris Wood have built a company culture centered on service—not just to homeowners, but to the greater Jacksonville community. Their leadership has guided Riverside Homes to actively support numerous organizations that make a real difference in Northeast Florida.

One of our most meaningful partnerships is with Rethreaded, a Jacksonville-based nonprofit that empowers survivors of human trafficking. Since 2019, Riverside Homes has supported Rethreaded by providing a significant matching gift of $30,000 during their annual birthday fundraising celebration. Through his involvement on Rethreaded’s Band of Brothers Advisory Board, Chris Wood has also been a strong advocate for the organization, ensuring that Riverside Homes continues to support its mission to renew hope and rebuild lives. 

"Giving back is a core part of who we are at Riverside Homes. Supporting organizations like Rethreaded, Builders Care, and others allows us to make a direct impact on the lives of those who need it most," said Chris Wood, Riverside Homes co-owner. 

Making a Difference: Riverside Homes’ Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Beyond our partnership with Rethreaded, Riverside Homes remains deeply involved with a variety of local nonprofits across Northeast Florida. Whether through financial contributions, hands-on volunteer work, or corporate sponsorships, we are dedicated to strengthening our community. Some of the organizations we proudly support include:

• Builders Care
• The Healing Hearts Project
• Hunger Fight
• Best Buddies
• Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville
• The Will King Foundation
• Davidson Cares

Home from the Heart: Supporting Builders Care with a Record-Breaking Donation

Riverside Homes was deeply honored to build last year’s Home from the Heart, a project dedicated to raising vital funds for Builders Care, the charitable arm of the Northeast Florida Builders Association (NEFBA). Builders Care provides essential home repairs and accessibility improvements for the elderly, disabled, and other nonprofits throughout the First Coast. The sale of this special home generated a direct donation to Builders Care, significantly bolstering their mission and annual budget. Riverside Homes' owners, Chris Wood and Matt Roberts, presented a record-breaking $214,000 donation—the largest single contribution in Builders Care’s history. This monumental gift will help approximately 25 homeowners across Northeast Florida with critical repairs, including roof replacements and home-access ramps, transforming lives and uplifting those in greatest need.

A Company Culture Built on Compassion and Service

Our passion for community involvement extends beyond corporate philanthropy—many of our employees have personal connections to the causes we support. With two Riverside Homes team members having children with Down syndrome, our participation in the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville’s Buddy Walk is both a corporate and personal commitment.

Additionally, our team has been actively involved in Hunger Fight’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Outreach Event for the past ten years, helping provide thousands of meals and educational materials to underserved families. Seeing the direct impact of these initiatives inspires us to continue finding meaningful ways to give back.

Sustainable Homebuilding: How Riverside Homes Designs for a Greener Future

In addition to our philanthropic efforts, Riverside Homes is committed to responsible homebuilding. Every home we build is designed with energy efficiency in mind, ensuring long-term sustainability for our homeowners and the environment. Each Riverside Home receives a HERS home energy rating, a comprehensive assessment measuring energy performance. With every project, we go beyond the blueprints—creating homes that provide comfort while contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future in Northeast Florida.

Thank You, Jacksonville, for Trusting Riverside Homes

Being a 'Companies with Heart' honoree for the fifth consecutive year is a milestone we don’t take lightly. It’s a testament to our team, our homeowners, and the Jacksonville community, who continue to inspire us to do more.

"Being named a 'Company with Heart' for the fifth consecutive year is an incredible honor and a testament to the values that drive us. At Riverside Homes, we believe that building homes goes hand in hand with building stronger communities. We’re grateful for our homeowners, partners, and team members who share in our commitment to making a meaningful impact,” expressed Wood.