Imagination Library: Affiliates

Imagination Library affiliates are 501(c)(3) organizations that have strong connections to families of young children in their communities and choose to partner with the Dollywood Foundation to provide their monthly book gifting program. Successful Imagination Library affiliates have been run by United Way groups, libraries, education foundations, and many other children-and-family-based organizations.

If your organization can fundraise to cover the rate of up to $2.10 per child from birth through age 5 enrolled in your geographic area per month and can provide outreach to the community so families know where they can register, you may be a great fit to be an affiliate partner.

There is no specific selection process to become an affiliate. Historically, affiliates have been awarded to the first organization in a community that expresses interest and has the financial capacity to take on the program. The process of becoming an affiliate is self-paced and can take anywhere from six weeks to a few months. The organization must complete an agreement form with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, provide a copy of their 501(c)(3) certification letter, and complete a special postal form which requires a postal official’s signature.

No, one of the hallmarks of the program is that books are mailed to the homes of participating families direct from Imagination Library headquarters in Tennessee.

Affiliates can select a coverage area as small as a zip code or as large as a county. New affiliate service areas are determined before registration for families is open and can be expanded by the affiliate as desired.

The OSDE has earmarked $2.5 million in federal emergency relief funding to match local affiliate funding 1:1, paying for half of the $2.10 needed per child each month. While this funding source will expire in 2024, the OSDE is working to secure additional funding to continue match funding into 2025 and beyond. Match funding will automatically be applied to affiliate monthly book order invoices. The Dollywood Foundation will apply match funding for Oklahoma affiliates beginning with the May 2022 invoice. The OSDE will also provide program support to local affiliates through fundraising, public awareness campaigns, and providing networking opportunities for Oklahoma affiliates.

• For all questions related to becoming an affiliate, please contact Imagination Library Regional Director, Pam Hunsaker (phunsaker@imaginationlibrary.com) or visit the Imagination Library website at www.imaginationlibrary.com.  
• For questions about community partnerships, match funding, and fundraising, please reach out to Laura Sikes at laura.sikes@sde.ok.gov or 405-420-9966.