News January 07, 2026
Barker Specialty Acquires Capital Design
Started nearly 40 years ago by Judy Mann, the acquired company has rebranded as Freemiums.
Key Takeaways
• Barker Specialty (asi/132690) has acquired Capital Designs, a Providence, RI-based company focused on custom jewelry and premium items for nonprofit direct mail fundraising, with the business rebranding as Freemiums.
• Founder Judy Mann will remain involved as a consultant, while Freemiums’ senior leadership and day-to-day operations will continue unchanged.
• Barker said the acquisition expands its premium offerings for nonprofit clients and allows the company to add scale and infrastructure to support Freemiums’ established programs.
Cheshire, CT-based distributor Barker Specialty (asi/132690), a Counselor 2024 Best Place to Work, has acquired Providence, RI-based Capital Designs. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
Founded by Judy Mann nearly four decades ago, Capital Design supplies custom-design jewelry and other tangible premium items used in nonprofit direct mail fundraising. In conjunction with the deal, Capital Design has rebranded as Freemiums, with Mann remaining onboard as a consultant.
“I’m excited for this next chapter for Capital Design,” Mann said. “We’ve built a business that has partnered with leading nonprofit organizations and direct mail agencies across the country to help drive response rates and strengthen donor support and loyalty. I’m confident that the newly rebranded Freemiums will continue to thrive under Barker’s strong and respected presence in the premium marketplace.”
Freemiums’ senior staff members Sarah Loffredo, director of sales and marketing, and Patrick Breault, director of production and operations, will continue to lead the acquired company forward, with no changes to day-to-day operations for customers or vendors.
Barker Specialty leadership said Freemiums’ business ethos aligns well with the distributor’s own customer commitment. “Judy has built an amazing business, which is laser focused on the customer experience, the voice of the customer and customer service,” said Karen Heiligman, chief customer officer at Barker.
The acquisition will allow Barker Specialty to bring more resources and infrastructure to support Freemiums’ proven offerings. “In the Freemiums business follow-up, speed and accuracy are everything,” said Harrison Barker, chief of transformation at Barker Specialty. “Freemiums has earned trust by delivering tangible, high-quality items that support strong response rates and donor loyalty. We are excited to build on that legacy, bring additional scale and resources behind the team and help more nonprofit organizations achieve their vital goals.”
The 75-year-old Barker Specialty was named Counselor’s 2022 Family Business of the Year. In May 2024, the distributor acquired Wolfepromo, a privately held boutique-style distributor based in Connecticut.