2024 Grant Recipient - Imagination

Organization Statement: The Imagination Library provides a free book monthly to Louisville children from birth to age 5 to foster a love of reading and prepare children for kindergarten. Improving early education in our community contributes to the lifelong success of Jefferson County kids.

Major Recent Successes:

• Initially, the program was only available in select zip codes, but in 2023 it was expanded to serve children countywide.
• Last year our goal of reaching 25% of eligible children was met and the Imagination Library is well on the way to reaching this year’s goal of 30%.

How this funding will impact this organization:  

Imagination Library of Louisville (ILL) is the local affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that provides a free, high quality, age-appropriate monthly book to children under five to help them develop a love of reading and prepare them for kindergarten. According to recent studies, more than 50% of Jefferson County children enter kindergarten unprepared to learn the basic reading skills needed to become successful students. Part of this is due to a lack of access to books.

Initially, the program was only available in select zip codes, but one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan and Louisville Metro Government allowed the Imagination Library to expand countywide in 2023. Although we still prioritize eight zip codes where families have more barriers to accessing books, now any child under five in Jefferson County is eligible.

A grant from Impact100 would allow the Imagination library to expand enrollment to serve 50% of Jefferson County children under five, about 24,500 books per month. The cost of the book and mailing is about $1.10 per book per month. Book costs alone would grow to nearly $280,000 in 2025. The Impact100 grant would cover the cost of books and be matched by state funds resulting in $200,000 worth of books for Louisville kids.

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