A special thanks to the Art League Family of supporters, students, volunteers, staff and faculty!
We’ve reached the 2017 Annual Appeal Challenge Goal of $25,000!

Dear Art League Family,

There’s lots of excitement around the Art League these days. Thanks to you the Art League reached its goal and raised $25,000 from the Annual Appeal Challenge. We are ready to begin the work needed to develop a new database management system and website. Thanks to everyone that responded so generously to the Art League’s 2017 Annual Appeal! And if you were not able to contribute to the Annual Appeal, thank you for being a student, volunteer, instructor, staff, visitor or member of the Art League.

It’s been an overall good year in 2017. Improved financial results were achieved at fiscal year-end August 31, 2017. The 2017 business plan focused on reorganizing processes and infrastructure to improve efficiency and reduce expenses. Staying true to the Art League’s mission requires the organization to generate sufficient sources of revenue while managing to keep expenses down while the cost of doing business goes up. The Art League depends on revenues from tuition, donations, gallery exhibitions, artwork sales, foundations, sponsorships and Grants. However, finding Grants for operating capital is difficult to come by. As a not-for-profit organization the Art League is championed to enhance Long Island’s cultural life, inspire communities and artists, create space and offer an exceptional art education. Balancing the need to fulfill its mission and funding operations is a constant challenge.

More good news! The Art League received a Grant from the New York State Economic Development Assistant Program (“NYS EDAP”) for $125,000. The funds must be used for renovations, repairs and improvements to the Art League’s building. These capital improvements must have a “life” of 10 years. The Grant does not support new technology. Timing couldn’t be better as the building is almost 15 years old. Some of the projects include 3 new HVAC units, outside LED parking lights, new office computers and upgrades to the computer lab, a state-of-the-art surveillance system, improved gallery lighting and several other projects. We hope to get started on these projects by third quarter 2018. We have three years to complete the work under the Grant.

Thank you again for making it possible to begin work on a new database management system and website. Please be sure to peruse the 2018 catalog to see some of the exciting new classes, lectures and events. Don’t miss “Opera Night Long Island” coming up on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 4:00 – 6:30 pm. Renowned internationally acclaimed rising opera professionals will inspire you with the “Language of Love”, in time for Valentine’s Day.

My warmest regards,

Charlee Miller

Executive Director

2017 Annual Appeal Challenge: Goal $25,000

Dear Art League Family,

This is the most difficult Annual Appeal letter I have written since becoming Executive Director of the Art League of Long Island five years ago. This year, with a genuine sense of urgency, I’m asking for your support to help fund the development of a much needed new website and database management system.

The 2017 Annual Appeal Challenge is a call to action. The Art League needs to raise $25,000 to begin the process of replacing its outdated website and database management system. The website is the “store front” of the Art League, the door to the treasures inside. The database management system is the engine that drives the business. It allows us to manage revenues, expenses and financial reports; customer and donor contacts; membership and registration; scheduling of classes, events and exhibits; and marketing data. Both legacy systems are labor-intensive and inefficient. Despite being continuously updated and patched, both systems are obsolete. The new systems will enable the Art League to improve our efficiency and customer service, lower our costs, and ultimately increase tuition revenues.

We’ve done our homework. Over the past two years we’ve conducted diligent research, met with developers, test-drove practice systems, spoke with other not-for-profits and gathered the intelligence needed to make this prudent technology decision. Unfortunately, revenues currently generated from the Art League’s operations will not cover the estimated $25,000 startup cost of a new website and database. But with your help we will reach the $25,000 goal. Here’s how…

The 2017 Annual Appeal ends three months from December 1, 2017. Please make a donation today at www.artleagueli.org or by calling Bobbie Janowitz at 631-462-5400 ext. 227. Your tax-deductible gift will make a huge difference in allowing the Art League to purchase the technology it so desperately needs. Thank you for your continued support!

My warmest regards,

Charlee Miller

Executive Director

Art League of Long Island