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Overview: The Imagination Library of the Prescott Area (ILPA) is a local non-profit affiliate implementing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) serving 22 Zip codes in western Yavapai County Arizona.
Project Description: ILPA/DPIL provides age-appropriate books free of charge mailed monthly to children aged 0-5 that have been enrolled by their parents. 2026-2027 will be the seventh year that a Rotary District 5495 district grant has supported this program along with matching funds from the Rotary Club of Prescott. ILPA currently serves over 3000 children per month.
Needs: The Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) is a continuing program that - through the efforts of local affiliates like ILPA - provides for the development of literacy and related attributes in the youngest members of our society. Most children typically enter the program when registered by their parents through encouragement from volunteers who work at cooperating agencies such as the local hospital birth center. Children cycle through the program from birth to age 5 receiving an age-appropriate book each month in the mail free of charge addressed to the individual child. The Imagination Library by design involves families in this process. The "Key Findings" of a recent (March 2026) groundbreaking international research project involving over 86,000 families determined that DPIL: 1. Closes literacy gaps, 2. Strengthens home literacy environments, 3. Inspires children to read and 4. Builds positive family reading habits (https://imaginationlibrary.com/international-research/).
Timeline: ILPA is an ongoing program entering its seventh year of operation and continuous support by the Rotary District 5495 district grant. For the 2026-2027 grant year matching club and grant funds totaling $3,000 will pay for books and mailing for 100 children of the currently 3000+ children currently enrolled.
Funding Sustainability: During its initial six years through May 2026, district grants and club matching funds continue to be the single largest contribution to ILPA. The Rotary clubs have also provided funding in addition to that required of the district grant match. ILPA has also received grants and donations from numerous other sources thereby establishing many funding partners.
Partners: ILPA depends greatly on the local hospital's family resource birth center volunteers to inform the families of newborns about the Imagination Library and provide instruction to parents/caregivers about how to register their children. ILPA also works with the Yavapai County free Public Library system to display promotional materials to promote registration.
Marketing Rotary: Rotary is recognized in various ways as an ILPA funding partner: through presentations to community groups, ILPA's website, community events, and the narrative sections of applications for funding from other grantors.
Rotarian Involvement: Rotarians can participate in the following manner: 1. As members of the ILPA board of directors per ILPA's bylaws 2. Assisting with fundraising efforts such as grant writing 3. Attending and assisting at ILPA promotional events held by other organizations. 4. Making promotional/marketing presentations to local funding/service organizations. 5 Volunteering to plan and execute ILPA fundraising events. 6. Participating in individual club fundraising events that provide matching funds for the district grant.
Budget Narrative: The budget amounts listed indicate only the funding anticipated through the district grant. 100% of the district grant and club matching funds are used to pay for books and mailing. Since the inception of this program in 2019 the district grant process has been the single largest contributor of financial support. ILPA also depends on grants and donations from many additional funding partners, which is necessary to cover projected costs approaching $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
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