Caffe Lena Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

See schedule ocaffe lena works according to the principle that music is an antidote to division and a path to health. In 2024, more than 600 headline concerts, classes and community events were presented, including two free-to-the-public festivals (sing in the streets in may and caffe lena at spac in october). These events brought together audiences of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate creativity, collaboration, and compassion through live music.in 2024, caffe lena continued expanding what a small music venue can mean to its community through innovative programming that reflects folk music values and goes beyond presenting concerts. Our programsincluding caffe lena on the road, truesongs, folk club kids and the little folks series, the creative community health clinic, the school of music, and our open stage seriesensure that artistic expression is deeply intertwined with everyday community life. Our goal is that people will feel heard, included, understood, honored, and empowered to participate in civic life. A brief overview of these programs follows.caffe lena on the road: healing music for those who need it most. Our free "on the road" program brings live performances by nationally touring artists directly to people who would otherwise not have access. In 2024, 41 performances were delivered across 6 counties, reaching more than 2,000 audience members in partner facilities including nursing homes, addiction treatment centers, soup kitchens, senior meal sites, youth shelters, children's museums, and schools throughout albany, fulton, saratoga, schoharie, warren, and Washington counties. This program's reach grows each year, strengthening the connection between music, healing, and human dignity.truesongs: stories of resilience and kindness. Now in its 5th year, truesongs remains the annual capstone of our community outreach. This one-of-a-kind performance pairs regional nonprofit clients with songwriters who translate their lived experiences into song. In 2024, 6 nonprofits were featured, representing saratoga, warren, and Washington counties. Stories included a mother who emigrated from brazil to support her family, a daughter who cared for her mother through alzheimer's, a veteran's recovery from ptsd, and a young mother preparing to graduate from nursing school. The performance once again illuminated the shared humanity between storytellers, songwriters, and audience members, while raising awareness for vital community organizations.folk club kids and little folks series: introducing children to live music. Our free, family-focused concert programs fill the venue with young listeners discovering how music is made. Folk club kids offers preschoolers and caregivers a folk "story hour" of fiddle, banjo, and sing-along songs. Little folks matinees feature full-length concerts designed for all ages, giving families a shared artistic experience. In 2024, 60 sessions reached an estimated 2,000 children and caregivers. By marketing these programs through local social service agencies and schools, caffe lena ensures that income is never a barrier to participation.creative community health clinic: caring for our creative workforce. The 3rd annual creative community health clinic took place in 2024, offering 37 free health and wellness screenings to musicians, artists, and other creatives who are uninsured or underinsured. This partnership between saratoga hospital and caffe lena continues to grow, providing a welcoming, familiar setting for artists to access essential care. The program exemplifies our commitment to supporting the wellbeing of the creative community that fuels our region's culture.caffe lena school of music: learning in the folk tradition. The caffe lena school of music provides group and individual lessons for children, adults, and seniorsteaching not just instruments but collaboration, listening, and community. Our teaching model follows the folk tradition: students learn by watching, listening, and playing to

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 92.1%; rating input score 92
• Program expense ratio: 87.5%; rating input score 87
• Fundraising efficiency: $12.03 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 44; 44th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Yes; rating input score 100

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Fail
  • Document-retention policy: Fail
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 3.4%; rating input score 46; 46th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.65; rating input score 59; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 58; 58th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 6.5%; rating input score 49; 49th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 17.8% per year; rating input score 100; 80th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 12.9% per year; rating input score 100; 74th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 16.9% per year; rating input score 100; 76th percentile among comparable filings