The New York State Legislature has appropriated $500,000 to be awarded through a competitive grant program to encourage participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) is a community-based program mailing free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until their 5th birthday, no matter their income. It is the goal of this grant program to provide financial assistance to allow additional organizations to participate as new Local Program Partners and for established Program Partners to be able to increase their enrolled members in existing coverage areas and/or expand into new areas.
Funds will be available to libraries, library systems, non-profits, school districts, BOCES, non-public schools, and charter schools in New York State. Individual grants will be limited to a maximum of $49,000 to pay up to 50% of a Local Program Partner’s costs from the Imagination Library. All applicants must have a Memorandum of Agreement with Dollywood as a Local Program Partner in DPIL by the application deadline. Eligible applicants who are a Local Program Partner for more than one Imagination Library program may submit one application per program.
The grant application is now open. All applications must be submitted by 1/10/2025 at 5:00 PM. For more information and the link to apply, please visit the NYS Grants for Participation in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library website. View the full Announcement of Funding Opportunity and Grant Guidelines here.