Meet Ray Baker of Vox Artium Foundation

Ray, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Earlier this year, my company, Promotional Mojo, began to plan a small, one-off outdoor music concert to benefit a couple of local pet rescue organizations, calling it Rock for Rescues. Through one of the first bands I contacted, I was introduced to the founders of Galvanize Collaborative Solutions, a strategic marketing and consulting firm with non-profit experience who “galvanized” my idea.

Almost everyone we approached with the concept, a FREE-admission, family-friendly outdoor concert showcasing local Atlanta bands playing their original music, benefitting locally-based pet rescue organizations, became enthusiastic supporters. One of the earliest and largest supporters was the City of Milton, who agreed to host the concert, closing down a portion of Broadwell Road at Crabapple Road in Milton to provide space for an outdoor stage, food and beverage trucks, and spaces for each of our chosen pet rescue groups to be onsite, answering questions, promoting their services, and accepting donations. There will also be other vendors and kid-friendly activities, making it an outdoor festival.

Within six months, the overwhelming support grew to such an extent that we incorporated the Vox Artium Foundation Inc., a 501(C)(3) non-profit foundation to coordinate donations, sponsorships, and volunteers. Latin for “voice of the arts,” Vox Artium’s mission has expanded to building a platform for the continued showcasing of Atlanta’s artists, dancers, and musicians while at the same time benefitting three core constituencies: pets, military veterans, and children’s charities. Plans are moving forward for additional events to be held throughout the year, with the Milton Rock for Rescues Festival to be held on April 28, 2018, as our flagship annual event.

For a list and schedule of bands performing, and the list of benefitting pet rescue organizations, please visit our website: RockforRescues.org.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Apart from some early miscommunications with our original intended concert location, this project has taken on a life of its own and is “rocking right along,” if you’ll excuse the pun. One of the biggest hurdles we’ve faced to date involved soliciting donations and sponsorships without a charitable, tax-exemption status from the IRS. It was one of the main reasons we incorporated the Vox Artium Foundation, and we received our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in mid-October. Now, all donations and sponsorships we receive are tax-deductible for the donors. RockforRescues.org/sponsors

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Vox Artium Foundation – what should we know?
The Vox Artium Foundation fills a void in the metropolitan Atlanta area. With most music venues these days only interested in national acts or “cover bands,” and artistic venues willing to feature local artists of all types few and far between and not well promoted, Vox Artium seeks to give voice to our community. Combining common passions of music and art to benefit charities right here in our home communities has been an easy idea to “sell” and support is growing daily.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Compassionate Passion. The drive to build something better, recognize more hometown heroes, elevate artists and charitable endeavors, make our community better, it’s a powerful motivation.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.RockforRescues.org
• Phone:404.512.6083
• Email:[email protected]
• Instagram:www.instagram.com/rock4rescues
• Facebook:www.facebook.com/R4RATL
• Other:www.VoxArtium.org

Image Credit:
Sloan Rainwater
Sloan Photo

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