Dolly Parton spent her life giving back to children and their communities. Since her passing, her fans have been carrying on that legacy.
Across the nation, people are donating their time and money, expanding Dolly’s Imagination Library and starting projects of their own.
In Florida, Virginia, Ohio and elsewhere, Imagination Library affiliates have seen a surge in both donations and registrations since the star’s passing on Aug. 25.
In Houston, public libraries are working with the Imagination Library of Greater Houston to help more families sign up their children.
In West Virginia, literacy nonprofit Read Aloud West Virginia is matching this month’s donations to local Imagination Library affiliates when donors write “in memory of Dolly” with their contributions.
In Nashville, a honky-tonk is giving 100% of Friday’s sales to the Imagination Library and Nashville Public Libraries
For more information see Erica Pandey, Jim VandeHei, & Mike Allen “1 big thing: Dolly Parton’s legacy sparks a giving wave” Axios, September 23, 2026.