Dolly Parton is so much more than just a country music singer. She is a music icon and a beacon of generosity and compassion. Through her Dollywood Foundation and personal philanthropic efforts, Dolly has transformed countless lives across Tennessee, the Appalachia region, and beyond. While ‘Dollywood’ itself is a beloved family destination best known for its roller coasters, music, and Appalachian charm, it is also a name and symbol connecting with giving. The Dollywood Foundation embodies Dolly Parton’s lifelong commitment to literacy, education, disaster relief, and supporting those in need. Read on to learn more about how this unique foundation gives back and how Dolly often goes even further to do more for her community than any other musician or similar artist we know:
The Dollywood Foundation: Changing Lives Through Literacy and Community Support
Founded in 1988, the Dollywood Foundation began as a way for Dolly Parton to give back to the Sevier County community where she was raised. Over the years, the foundation has grown into a globally known charitable organization. Here’s how it makes a difference:
1. Imagination Library
Undoubtedly, the most well-known initiative of the Dollywood Foundation is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Launched in 1995, this program provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, mailed directly to their homes every month. What began as a local literacy initiative in Sevier County quickly grew into an international movement, and now children all over the world have received books from the foundation. As of 2025:
- Over 200 million books have been gifted to children across five countries: the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.
- The program now mails over 2 million books per month.
- Imagination Library has received recognition from educators and policymakers alike for its impact on early childhood literacy and school readiness.
The idea behind Imagination Library is simple: “If you can read, you can do anything.” For many children, these are the first books they will ever own; books that spark imagination, confidence, and a love of learning.
2. My People Fund
When devastating wildfires swept through Gatlinburg and Sevier County in 2016, Dolly didn’t wait for others to act or for government bureaucracy to slowly roll into action. No, she stepped up immediately and launched the My People Fund through her Dollywood Foundation. This groundbreaking initiative provided $1,000 per month for six months to families who lost their primary residences in the fires. In the final month, families received a bonus $5,000, bringing the total assistance to $10,000 per household. Hard cash that helped families affected to immediately start rebuilding their homes and lives again.
In total, the fund distributed over $12.5 million in direct aid, helping more than 900 families rebuild their lives with dignity and stability. The program was widely praised for its efficiency, compassion, and transparency, and it set a new standard for celebrity-led disaster relief.
But Dolly didn’t stop there. Recognizing that recovery isn’t just about rebuilding homes but also about restoring futures, she followed up with a Wildfire Scholarship Program to support students from affected families as they pursued higher education.
And even though the My People Fund itself wasn’t formally reactivated in 2024 when catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene hit East Tennessee, Dolly’s commitment to her community didn’t waver. She and her business partners donated $2 million to local relief efforts through the Mountain Ways Foundation, with $1 million from Dolly personally and another $1 million from Dollywood Parks & Resorts, Pirates Voyage, and other regional businesses. They also helped deliver bottled water, cleaning supplies, and essential items to flood-ravaged areas, sometimes by truck, sometimes by helicopter. Thereby, showing once again that when disaster strikes, Dolly shows up.
3. Scholarships and Community Support
A good portion of the funds allocated by the Dollywood Foundation go to supporting students, educators, and local nonprofits, with a focus on funding that which will aid in long-term community growth, education, and resilience.
The scholarships awarded by the Dollywood Foundation are designed to remove financial barriers for high-achieving and community-minded students. These scholarships target students in Sevier County and neighboring Appalachian communities, helping them access higher education and pursue dreams that might otherwise be out of reach. The foundation’s awards are based not just on academic merit, but also on leadership, financial need, and a commitment to service, thereby reflecting Dolly Parton’s belief in both heart and hard work. In total, five $15,000 scholarships are awarded every year to local high school students.
Separately, Dolly Parton, in collaboration with Herschend Enterprises, has also launched what’s called the GROW U program, which offers a myriad of higher education opportunities for employees of Dollywood itself. Every year, employees, whether there for a season or full-time throughout the year, enjoy funding of up to $5,250 to over 100 diploma, degree, and certificate programs.
Meanwhile, for teachers, the unique Chasing Rainbows Award presented by the Dollywood Foundation in partnership with the National Network of State Teachers of the Year, celebrates and honors those educators who have overcome significant adversity in order to positively impact their students’ lives. Recipients of this unique prize are celebrated with a week-long paid vacation to Dollywood as Dolly Parton’s special guests and are honored at the park with a plaque inscribed and mounted at the Chasing Rainbows Museum.
Be Part of the Good
Dolly Parton has always said, “Find out who you are and do it on purpose.” Through her foundation, her philanthropy, and her park, she’s shown the world what it means to live a life of purpose. Whether she’s helping children learn to read, funding life-saving vaccines, or rebuilding communities after disaster, Dolly continues to lead with heart. The Dollywood Foundation is her lasting gift to the world and a reminder that one person can make a difference, especially when they lead with love and purpose.
So, when you’re planning your next vacation, think about heading to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. At Dollywood, you’re not just in for a fun day of rides and music, you’re joining a movement built on hope, kindness, and community. Come for the fun. Stay for the inspiration. Give back without even knowing it.
