Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Caffe Lena School of Music
If you believe that music, poetry and storytelling are essential forms of human expression that must be taught and passed forward to the next generation, you’re in the right place. Rooted in folk tradition we learn and play in small, friendly groups, master a repertoire of enduring folk songs, and write some new classics too. With a focus on learning to play by ear rather than reading sheets of music, we hope playing music will become your go to social pass time because when you learn to play an instrument, you have a companion for life.
The Bright Series
Named in honor of Kevin and Claudia Bright, these monthly shows feature artists playing the venue for the first time. We select fresh, contemporary roots-based musicians who are making waves in the national folk scene, getting strong radio play, charting, releasing albums, developing a strong following on social media, touring hard, and selling out venues.
Caffe Lena on the Road
Our headline artists travel into the community to deliver live music where it’s needed: elderly care centers, schools, the soup kitchen, recovery support groups and more. Since launching in February we’ve touched the lives of more than 1,500 people with the healing power of music.
Nordlys Global Voices
This program showcases roots-based artists from non-English-speaking nations. These lively concerts enrich our community with fresh perspectives, rarely heard instruments, and compelling rhythms.
Little Folks Shows
Presenting free kid-friendly matinees. The lively, toe-tapping setlists appeal to all ages and introduces the youngest listeners to the joy of live music.
Pride Night LGBTQIA+ Series
Starting with opening night in May of 1960, Caffe Lena has presented diverse voices on stage and created an inclusive atmosphere. Pride Night continues that tradition every first Thursday with concerts where LGBTQ people and supportive allies enjoy music, creativity and community in a room that welcomes all.
Community Classroom
Our Community Classroom aims to catalyze fresh thinking through conversation that is respectful, deep, empowering and unique. As Caffe Lena has long provided a stage where the stories of all people are honored, this bi-monthly civics lesson builds on the venue’s folk heritage with an understanding of real life struggle in today’s world.
TrueSongs
TrueSongs is an annual event that reveals real life challenges faced by our neighbors. To find the stories, Caffe Lena reached out to local nonprofits that lend a helping hand to people in our community. Each storyteller has been paired with a songwriter who will capture the story with lyrics and melodies. At the performance, each pair will take the stage together, and make these true experiences come alive with an artistic presentation that breaks through stereotypes and boundaries.
Where we work
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of paid admissions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Admissions down in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, expecting a rebound in 2020.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
2022 Caffe Lena Strategic Goals
GOAL: Reduce dependence on ticket sales to fund operations.
GOAL: Increase participation of first-timers, especially BIPOC audiences, families, and individuals under age 50.
GOAL: Keep the folk tradition of social music making alive through programs for families and the Caffe Lena School of Music.
GOAL: Improve use of available data to hone marketing of concerts and improve fundraising.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
2022 Caffe Lena Goal Strategies
GOAL: Reduce dependence on ticket sales to fund operations.
• Develop CaffeLena.TV to reach a wider audience, add revenue to the bottom line, and pandemic-proof the delivery of concerts.
• Expand merchandising to create additional revenue and promote brand recognition.
• Increase unearned revenue via a highly visible fundraiser in May and increased grant income.
GOAL: Increase participation of first-timers, especially BIPOC audiences, families, and individuals under age 50.
• Offer a slate of concerts and activities that is diverse in style and price-point, builds on Caffe Lena’s legacy, and sustains operations.
• Broaden Caffe Lena’s impact and base of support by cultivating new partnerships.
• Via marketing and publicity, reach new audiences, engage current users more deeply, create greater visibility, and drive sales and donations.
GOAL: Keep the folk tradition of social music making alive through programs for families and the Caffe Lena School of Music.
• Offer live online classes for adults that deepen students’ appreciation of the folk idiom.
• Introduce youth to music as a social pastime and build skills needed to play venues like ours.
• Engage families in making music.
GOAL: Improve use of available data to hone marketing of concerts and improve fundraising.
• Improve reporting so that we can clearly demonstrate the impact and use of each major donation
• Conduct an economic impact study to leverage support from government and commercial sources
• Further develop Salesforce and Mailchimp to facilitate targeted marketing campaigns
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Caffe Lena Inc
Board of directorsas of 02/25/2022
James Mastrianni
JEM Inc
Term: 2018 - 2021
Peter Martin
Saratoga Springs Commissioner of Public Safety (Retired)
Kira Favro
Newport Festivals Foundation
Pam Abrams
Writer, Consultant, Culinary Entrepreneur
Kevin Bright
Film and television producer
Carlton DeBrule
Digital Factory, Inc
Michael Eck
Journalist, musician
Wanda Fischer
Public relations and communications specialist (Retired)
Eric Gordon
AYCO Family Office at Goldman Sachs
Margo Olson
Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
Kevin Veitch
Saratoga Springs Code Enforcement (Retired)
George Ward
Folklorist, Musician
Joanne Yepsen
Former Mayor of Saratoga Springs, Public affairs specialist
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data