CMA, Disney, Belmont and Nashville groups give $1 million to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
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The gist
A CMA-led group donated $1 million to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library after an Oct. 21 tribute show.
The free-book program reaches children in five countries and relies on local sponsors.
Background
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is an early childhood book-gifting program and the flagship initiative of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Parton, a country music legend, launched it in 1995 for children in her home county in East Tennessee, inspired by her father's inability to read and write. The program mails free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five in the US, Canada, UK, Australia and Republic of Ireland, and has gifted more than 300 million books. The $1 million donation followed a televised tribute special that organizers had announced beforehand would serve as a fundraiser for the program.
How it unfolded
- 1995Dolly Parton launches the Imagination Library for children of her home county in East Tennessee.
- Oct 19, 2026A "Night with Dolly" screening of "Steel Magnolias" is announced for Oct. 26 in Park City, Utah, with proceeds supporting efforts to bring the program to Utah.
- Oct 20, 2026Waltham, Massachusetts organizers report raising $25,000 of a $50,000 pledge goal; about 3,200 local children are ineligible because the city lacks a sponsor. In Lexington, Kentucky, The Burl's tribute raises more than $20,000, enough for over 600 children for a year.
- Oct 21, 2026The tribute show "CMA Presents I Will Always Love You: A Celebration of Dolly Parton" is held at Belmont University's Fisher Center in Nashville.
- Oct 22, 2026CMA, Belmont University, The Walt Disney Company and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp reveal a combined $1 million donation to the Imagination Library.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said Dolly has always brought people together and that the event was built with that intention, resulting in a $1 million donation so children can find a book with their name on it.
- Official
- Belmont president Dr. Greg Jones said Dolly knew a single book could change the course of a child's life, and the university was grateful to help put more books into children's hands.
- Caution
- Waltham organizer Craig Adams said the $25,000 raised so far is "phenomenal" but more is needed before the program can begin sending books there.