Mission Statement
The Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF) was created in 2004 to allow Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to be available to every child in the state of Tennessee. Children from birth to age five are eligible to receive books at no cost to families, regardless of income. With funding support from the Tennessee General Assembly, various foundations, individual donors, small businesses and a host of private corporate partners, the GBBF matches all funds raised by each Imagination Library program in Tennessee - a dynamic public-private partnership unlike any other in the U.S. today.
Description
The GBBF supports and strengthens Tennessee’s statewide Imagination Library by assisting program affiliates with:
PR & Communications
Whether writing targeted press releases and media advisories, helping plan special events to raise local awareness, working with media outlets across Tennessee, or crafting creative communications strategies, the GBBF works to help each county affiliate boost its enrollment and presence in the community.
Fundraising
The cost of maintaining the program in each county is roughly $24 per child, annually. That cost is split evenly between each county affiliate and the GBBF. All funds raised by program affiliates are matched dollar for dollar by the GBBF. Working on behalf of affiliates to raise money from various businesses, corporate partners, foundations, individual donors and other organizations, the GBBF helps each county program move its Imagination Library forward.
Program Partnerships
The GBBF strives to unite the passion and resources of many Tennessee businesses, nonprofits, associations, local and statewide libraries, teacher organizations, civic groups, state and municipal governments, and more, all in the service of strengthening Imagination Library programs across the state.
