Caffe Lena Inc

Saratoga Springs, NY   |  https://www.caffelena.org/

Mission

Caffe Lena's mission is to provide music, connection and learning from a legendary venue.

Ruling year info

1991

Executive Director

Sarah Craig

Main address

47 Phila St

Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 USA

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EIN

14-1726194

NTEE code info

Folk Arts (A24)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

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Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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.

Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Adults
Family relationships
Ethnic and racial groups

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

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.

Population(s) Served

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

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.

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

Financials

Caffe Lena Inc
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

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Caffe Lena Inc

Board of directors
as of 02/25/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

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

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 11/30/2021

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
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data