State budget omits funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Washington

OLYMPIA — Washington state lawmakers released the final 2025–2027 operating budget on April 26, with the legislative session concluding Sunday. Despite previous commitments made in 2022, the final budget does not include funding to expand the Imagination Library of Washington, a program currently serving more than 121,000 children.

Founded by Dolly Parton in 1995 to honor her father, who was unable to read or write, the Imagination Library provides children from birth to age 5 with a free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month. The program is operated through The Dollywood Foundation and aims to foster early literacy and a love of reading.

“This is a heartbreaking loss to our team, our 46 local Imagination Library partners, and, most importantly, the 121,000 children across Washington, who receive the gift of a free book each month,” stated Brooke Fisher-Clark, executive director of Imagination Library of Washington.

Washington established its statewide program in 2022, becoming the first on the West Coast and the eleventh nationwide among 21 statewide programs. The program relies on a 50/50 public-private partnership model, with funding shared equally between the state and local program partners. Washington lawmakers previously expressed support by passing House Bill 2068, which included critical financial backing.

“We are deeply disappointed by Washington’s decision to withdraw from our partnership to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across the state. The close of the budget session does not prevent Washington’s leaders from taking action to fund its portion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library as promised to the state’s children and families. We remain sincerely grateful for our partnership and hope that state leaders will find a path forward to honor this commitment,” stated Jeff Conyers, vice chair and president of The Dollywood Foundation.

With the loss of state funding, program leaders said the future of the Imagination Library of Washington depends on public support.

“With the loss of state funding, our statewide programmatic framework has been altered, and we must now pivot to address this funding challenge. We need the public to rally and help us preserve this impactful program for young children. Please act and contribute now to ensure its survival,” stated Fisher-Clark.

The requested state investment totaled $7 million for the biennium—$3.2 million in the first year and $3.8 million in the second year—to maintain current enrollment and support anticipated growth. Without the funding, the statewide organization and its 46 local partners must raise critical donations to continue mailing books to enrolled children.

Donations to support the program can be made online at www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org/donate or by mail to Imagination Library of Washington, 400 Union Avenue SE, Suite 200, Olympia, WA 98501.

The Imagination Library of Washington, powered by United Ways of the Pacific Northwest and partnering with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families, collaborates with local organizations to deliver books directly to children’s homes each month at no cost to families. Research has shown the program’s positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills.

For more information, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.