Our Story

Welcome to the Exchange.

CAX was born out of a simple but powerful belief: that artists have the ability to transform communities.

All too often, artistic voices are limited by a lack of financial resources. Founded to serve primarily marginalized artists and the communities they represent, CAX exists to bridge the gap between creativity and impact. We understand that when artists thrive, their work becomes a catalyst for social change, cultural celebration, and collective healing.

Fundraising is more than securing money - it’s telling your artistic story.

It’s the opportunity to share the unique vision behind every project, to connect artists with funders who align with their values, and to build lasting partnerships that uplift creative voices. Our role is to equip artists with the skills to navigate a rapidly changing fundraising landscape while sustaining their artistry on their own terms.

Our mission is to empower artists with the tools, confidence, and strategies to build sustainable funding systems that support both their work, and the communities they serve.

Meet Our Founder,
Sarah Overton

Sarah Overton - Founder, CAX

Sarah is three parts Performing Artist, Arts Advocate, and Arts Fundraiser.

Arts Fundraiser
As an Arts Fundraiser in her most recent role as the Director of Project Onboarding at CCS Fundraising, a leading global fundraising firm, she created the foundation for feasibility studies for esteemed institutions such as The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Clark Art Institute, the New York Youth Symphony, and the Perez Art Museum Miami. At CAX, Sarah has consulted with arts organizations in New York City to secure grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and advise on individual donor strategies to raise upwards of $40,000 for New York City artists within their first six months.

Arts Advocate
As an Arts Advocate, Sarah has made a lasting impact on the cultural landscape by prioritizing the creation of urgent and accessible artistic opportunities and experiences for audiences of all ages. Sarah has been a guest speaker on panels for Columbia University, George Washington University, and MSU Denver on the subjects of “Arts and Civic Engagement”, "User Experience Design for Arts Nonprofit Organizations," and “Expanding the BIPOC Classical Repertoire”.  Sarah treasures most her experience as the Director of Central Florida based arts program “A Gift For Music,” - an organization dedicated to breaking down barriers between students and strings education.

Performing Artist
Sarah Overton is a dynamic multi-genre cellist living and working in NYC. Sarah has been featured at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Pantages Theater, and international stages in London, Paris, and Cardiff. She most recently performed with the Broadway Sinfonietta at L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl for the world premiere of Mattel’s “Barbie: The Movie in Concert” and completed a national tour as the Principal Cellist for Sony/Marvel’s “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse Live in Concert '' series. As an advocate for new music and genre-fusion she recently performed at the Carnegie Hall premiere of Ray Chew’s “Night of Inspiration” a celebration of music from diverse traditions, and performs often on Broadway’s Hell’s Kitchen. Sarah is a frequent collaborator with Wondersmith Entertainment, Sound Off! Music for Bail, NYU’s New Theater on Broadway, the NYChillharmonic, and many more.

CAX Clients