NEW YORK, NY— The Fedcap Group today acquired the Runway of Dreams Foundation and its subsidiary, GAMUT Management to expand efforts in making the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries more inclusive and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities. The partnership brings together Fedcap’s global reach on economic empowerment particularly individuals with disabilities with Runway of Dreams/GAMUT’s specializing in Adaptive fashion and disability-focused talent development, with the goal reshaping the industries to better reflect and serve people of all abilities.
“This is more than a combination of organizations—it’s a merging of missions in important industries with enormous potential for people with disabilities,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “For 90 years, Fedcap has worked to lift people up by breaking down barriers to economic opportunity and mobility. By aligning with Runway of Dreams and GAMUT, we are expanding our impact into the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors—industries that are increasingly recognizing the importance of inclusive design and representation. Together, we will broaden education and workforce pipelines, accelerate adoption of Adaptive apparel, and create sustainable, global opportunities for people with disabilities.”
Founded in 2014 by Mindy Scheier, the Runway of Dreams Foundation has been at the forefront of the inclusive fashion movement—championing Adaptive apparel and partnering with leading brands to design functional, stylish clothing that empowers individuals with disabilities. Its subsidiary, GAMUT Management, provides consulting, talent representation, and accreditation services to companies seeking authentic, impactful engagement with the disability community.
“This is a monumental next chapter for Runway of Dreams and GAMUT Management,” said Mindy Scheier, the founder of both organizations. “With Fedcap’s powerful network and global reach, we have an opportunity to redefine the marketplace—ensuring that people with disabilities are not just included, but recognized as a vital force in the economy. Together, we will drive forward a movement that makes disability inclusion a business imperative, where accessibility, representation, and innovation create a world that serves everyone.”
“Easterseals is excited with the acquisition of Runway of Dreams and GAMUT Management by The Fedcap Group, a valued member of Easterseals’ national network of 70 Affiliates,” said Kendra Davenport, President and Chief Executive Officer of Easterseals. “Easterseals’ commitment to empowering people with disabilities so they can lead full lives is certainly epitomized in this acquisition, as is our vision of a world in which people with disabilities are valued and respected as full participants in society.”
As part of the collaboration, The Fedcap Group will work with Runway of Dreams to expand education and training programs that equip both students with or without disabilities with the skills to lead inclusive design, marketing, and merchandising efforts. New initiatives will aim to prepare the next generation of industry professionals to fully embrace adaptive fashion and accessible business practices, creating a more equitable future for all.
Through this combination, The Fedcap Group—with its international footprint spanning 20 U.S. states, the UK, and Canada—will help scale Runway of Dreams’ programs, bring GAMUT’s consulting and accreditation services to new markets, and ensure that disability inclusion becomes a standard across the fashion, beauty, and entertainment sectors.
About The Fedcap Group
For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. The Fedcap Group drives economic mobility through four practice areas—education, workforce development, health, and economic development. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered. For more information visit www.fedcapgroup.org.
About Runway of Dreams Foundation
RoDF is a public charity that is empowering people with disabilities to have confidence and self-expression through inclusion in fashion and beauty. RoDF advocates for everybody to have access to fashion and beauty by celebrating and encouraging innovation that is exciting and empowering. RoDF raises awareness through large-scale runway shows, campaigns for inclusion, educational programs that inspire and develop the next generation of design innovators and marketing leaders; and advocates on the need and necessity of inclusion through resources and thought-provoking panels.
About GAMUT Management
GAMUT Management is a trailblazing consulting, talent, and accreditation company exclusively working with and for people with disabilities. GAMUT partners with companies to find authentic ways to engage with, create products for, and represent people with disabilities. It is also a disruptive talent management company with expertise in properly casting, managing, and developing talent with disabilities exclusively. With these offerings and the GAMUT Seal of Approval™, GAMUT is changing the landscape of disability inclusion. GAMUT Management was founded in 2019 by Mindy Scheier – a fashion designer, mom of a son with a disability, and the pioneer behind the inclusive fashion movement.
Contact:
Jim Malatras, 212-727-4200, JMalatras@fedcap.org