Who We Are

We launched the Rochester, NY chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in July of 2021.

Since our pilot program in the 14605 zip code, we’ve grown like gangbusters and now serve more than 2,500 children across the city—about one in every five children under five.

Thanks to a cast of dedicated volunteers and community partners, we’re poised to reach our ultimate goal—painting this town read.

The Rochester chapter of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a fiscal partner of the Rochester Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide programs and resources to improve learning and success for all Rochester city public school students through partnerships with educators, businesses, and the community.

Our choice to partner with the Rochester Education Foundation was an easy one. They are a lean, evidence-based organization that has a remarkable track record of achieving results and improving the lives of children in the city of Rochester. Since its founding in 2003, the REF has:

  • provided more than 70,000 new books to RCSD students, including more 20,000 since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • restored and given away 3,500 musical instruments to students who could otherwise not afford one.

  • given critical guidance and support to enable RCSD students to chase their higher ed dreams —approximately half of students who completed a FAFSA did so through the REF’s Rochester College Access Network.