A Tribute to Dolly Parton
If you see someone without a smile today, give 'em one of yours.
A Lifetime of Unconditional Kindness
Born in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, Dolly Parton rose to become one of the most beloved cultural icons in history. Yet beyond the glittering rhinestones, chart-topping records, and timeless songwriting, Dolly's true genius has always been her heart.
Throughout her journey, she has never forgotten where she came from. Her life stands as a testament to the transformative power of radical generosity, quiet humility, and uplifting every community in need.
Inspiring Early Literacy
Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, Dolly launched the Imagination Library in 1995 to ensure that no child would grow up without books in their home.
Direct Relief in Crisis
When devastating wildfires ravaged the Smoky Mountains in 2016, Dolly provided direct monthly cash support to displaced families through the My People Fund until they could rebuild.
Dolly's Core Foundations & Initiatives
Explore and support the official initiatives founded and championed by Dolly Parton to spread literacy, healthcare research, and community recovery:
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Mailing over 200 million free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five across the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and Ireland.
The Dollywood Foundation
The parent non-profit organization that manages educational scholarships, local high school graduation initiatives, and community disaster assistance programs.
Vanderbilt Health & Medical Research
Dolly's crucial philanthropy supports pediatric infectious disease research and critical vaccine development at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Mountain Tough & Disaster Relief
Long-term recovery and housing rehabilitation initiatives assisting families and communities recovering from natural disasters across the Appalachian region.
In Her Spirit: Emergency Flood & Humanitarian Aid
Whenever disaster strikes—whether in our hometowns or across the ocean—compassion knows no borders. In honor of Dolly’s belief in showing up for people in crisis, here are trusted international relief organizations mobilizing direct flood relief, clean water, rescue operations, and emergency supplies to affected families and communities in China and surrounding regions.
International Red Cross & Red Crescent (IFRC)
Working directly in coordination with national emergency response teams to deploy rescue boats, clean drinking water, hygiene kits, and emergency shelters to flood-affected communities.
Give2Asia Disaster Response
A trusted channel facilitating direct humanitarian assistance to verified, on-the-ground local organizations providing emergency rescue, food, and long-term rebuilding across China and the Asia-Pacific.
GlobalGiving Disaster Recovery
Directs emergency resources to vetted grassroots first responders delivering food, temporary shelter, and sanitation supplies immediately following extreme weather and flood catastrophes.
UNICEF Emergency Response
Ensures children and displaced families affected by sudden flood emergencies receive emergency medicine, nutritional assistance, clean water, and safe spaces.
"We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."