Dolly Parton’s legacy, her loving heart, and her inspiration to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More will live on through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. ❤️ In this message, The Dollywood Foundation Vice Chair & President Jeff Conyers offers reassurance about the program's future and our continued dedication to Dolly’s dream - inspiring a love of reading by gifting books to children around the world. 📚
The Dollywood Foundation
Philanthropy
Sevierville, TN 7,286 followers
To share the life and legacy of Dolly Parton as an inspiration to all children
About us
The Dollywood Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1988 by Dolly Parton to inspire the children in her home county to achieve educational success. Initial efforts focused on decreasing the dropout rate in the county's high school. In the early 1990's, Dolly promised every seventh- and eighth-grade student $500 if they successfully graduated from high school. This effort, called The Buddy Program, reduced the dropout rate for these two classes from 35% to 6%. More importantly, the program catalyzed the community to provide additional resources to sustain this improvement. Currently, five high school students are selected each year in Sevier County to receive a $15,000 Dolly Parton Scholarship fund. This local program's success was the impetus of what is now the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. This monthly book gifting program for children from birth to age five focuses on inspiring a love of books and reading. What was founded as a local program grew into an international movement with over 3.5 million children receiving books each month in five countries and over 328 million books gifted globally since inception. The mission of The Dollywood Foundation is to share the life and legacy of Dolly Parton as an inspiration for children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, and Be More.
- Website
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http://www.dollyfoundation.org
External link for The Dollywood Foundation
- Industry
- Philanthropy
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Sevierville, TN
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 1988
Locations
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Primary
Get directions
111 E. Main St.
Sevierville, TN, US
Employees at The Dollywood Foundation
Updates
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Our team, our local program partners, and every operational partner who helps make this program possible each month are heartbroken at the loss of our founder, Dolly Parton. She was always proud that her little program grew into what it is today. She was proudest of what it meant to her Dad. In her own words: "My Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done." The world grieves with us today. And yet we find ourselves just as certain about what comes next. For decades, Dolly and the team at The Dollywood Foundation — home of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library — worked to build something that would last for generations. So it will. The work ahead has never felt more meaningful, and we will carry it forward as she lifts us all up. Dolly, we will always love you.
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Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old. Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact. At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com
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We’re smiling extra big today!! Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts! It means so much to all of us at Dolly’s Foundation to know that you share Dolly’s dream of inspiring a love of reading in children. Because of your kindness, more children will experience the excitement of receiving a new book each month, more families will share bedtime stories together, and more little imaginations will be inspired to dream boldly. On behalf of our team, partners, and millions of children and families across the United States to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland, thank you.