Programs and results
What we aim to solve
According to the Arkansas Community Foundation's Aspire Report (2019), only 38% of Arkansas third graders are proficient in reading. Third grade is considered an important milestone in a student's career in terms of reading proficiency and is correlated to whether a student will graduate from high school. Research shows that 85% of a child's core brain development occurs before the age of three. This “wiring” shapes infants and toddlers’ ability to learn to read and think critically (J.S. Hutton, 2015). Additional research indicates the dramatic correlation between the number of books in the home and future academic achievement. Children growing up with a home library, even as small as 25 books, got 2.4 more years of education than children from bookless homes (Evans, M.D., 2014). With 26% of Arkansas children living below the federal poverty level, and 53% living under 200% level, Arkansas Imagination Library desires to minimize the impact poverty has on children's access to books.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Arkansas Imagination Library
Arkansas Imagination Library (ARIL) is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works with local affiliates to expand the Imagination Library program. As an official partner of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, our mission is to increase literacy in Arkansas by ensuring all young children across the state may participate in the program. ARIL believes literacy begins at birth, the benefits of a home library go far beyond the books, and parents/guardians are a child’s first and best teacher. Established in 2017, ARIL has worked with local communities to grow the program from 54 to all 75 counties; increasing the number of children receiving books each month from 16,700 to over 80,000 today (or 43% of the total 0 to 5 population) and growing.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 2018
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of books distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Arkansas Imagination Library
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Arkansas Imagination Library affiliates have mailed 4.04 million books (and counting) to children in Arkansas since 2005.
Number of children served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Children, Parents
Related Program
Arkansas Imagination Library
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total, unduplicated number of children that were enrolled in the Imagination Library program and received monthly books in that year.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
ARIL has four goals to ensure an effective implementation plan for delivery:
Goal 1: Provide support to ensure healthy affiliates in all 75 counties.
Since the establishment of the state office in August 2017, ARIL has worked with local affiliates and Arkansas communities to grow the number of counties served. ARIL met our goal of coverage in all 75 counties in 2020. Now ARIL is focusing on strengthening affiliate infrastructure, growing enrollment and fundraising capacity, and engaging communities through current partners and potential new partnerships.
Goal 2: Serve 60% or more of the total 0 - 5 population in Arkansas.
Since 2017, the number of children receiving books has increased from 16,700 to over 80,000. ARIL continues to work with all Arkansas counties to grow the number of enrolled children to 122,553 - 65% of the children in the state of Arkansas. After reaching the 65% goal, ARIL will continue to grow the number of children receiving books in the state. ARIL desires for ALL children ages 0-5 to receive books.
Goal 3: Provide 50% matching dollars to support affiliates.
ARIL works with DPIL and the local county affiliates to provide support for the success of the programs in Arkansas. In partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, ARIL has funding from a federal grant that covers 50% of the cost of books for every affiliate, leaving local affiliates to fund the remaining 50% of expenses. Grant funds ensure that ARIL can help Arkansas affiliates continue intentional enrollment growth by reducing the financial burden at the local level.
Goal 4: Provide research to show the Imagination Library’s impact on the culture of reading and grade-level reading to gain sustainable funding.
As of August 2021, ARIL has provided research to show the impact of the Imagination Library on the culture of reading and grade-level reading. As stated above, the initial 2021 study demonstrated that enrollment in the Imagination Library increases retention, kindergarten readiness, and third grade literacy test scores. ARIL will continue to provide research showing the ongoing impact of the Imagination Library on children's literacy by conducting an annual analysis of new data. By December 2023, ARIL expects to publish the research findings in several prominent national journals. The research is currently being shared with Arkansas legislatures and other leaders across the state.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
GOALS AND STRATEGIES
ARIL has four goals to ensure an effective implementation plan for delivery:
Goal 1: Provide support to ensure healthy affiliates in all 75 counties.
Since the establishment of the state office in August 2017, ARIL has worked with local affiliates and Arkansas communities to grow the number of counties served. ARIL met our goal of coverage in all 75 counties in 2020. Now ARIL is focusing on strengthening affiliate infrastructure, growing enrollment and fundraising capacity, and engaging communities through current partners and potential new partnerships.
Goal 2: Serve 60% or more of the total 0 - 5 population in Arkansas.
Since 2017, the number of children receiving books has increased from 16,700 to over 80,000. ARIL continues to work with all Arkansas counties to grow the number of enrolled children to 122,553 - 65% of the children in the state of Arkansas. After reaching the 65% goal, ARIL will continue to grow the number of children receiving books in the state. ARIL desires for ALL children ages 0-5 to receive books.
Goal 3: Provide 50% matching dollars to support affiliates.
ARIL works with DPIL and the local county affiliates to provide support for the success of the programs in Arkansas. In partnership with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, ARIL has funding from a federal grant that covers 50% of the cost of books for every affiliate, leaving local affiliates to fund the remaining 50% of expenses. Grant funds ensure that ARIL can help Arkansas affiliates continue intentional enrollment growth by reducing the financial burden at the local level.
Goal 4: Provide research to show the Imagination Library’s impact on the culture of reading and grade-level reading to gain sustainable funding.
As of August 2021, ARIL has provided research to show the impact of the Imagination Library on the culture of reading and grade-level reading. As stated above, the initial 2021 study demonstrated that enrollment in the Imagination Library increases retention, kindergarten readiness, and third grade literacy test scores. ARIL will continue to provide research showing the ongoing impact of the Imagination Library on children's literacy by conducting an annual analysis of new data. By December 2023, ARIL expects to publish the research findings in several prominent national journals. The research is currently being shared with Arkansas legislatures and other leaders across the state.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
In 1995, Dolly Parton launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to benefit the children of her home county in East Tennessee. Dolly’s vision was to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children by providing them with the gift of a specially selected book each month. To date, DPIL mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to over 2.3 million children each month directly to their home from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Dolly's homegrown effort is now a part of thousands of communities' early childhood strategies and is increasingly a vital part of educational policy for states, provinces, and territories.
In 2002, local communities throughout Arkansas started county affiliates to deliver books in the natural state. In July 2017, Governor Asa Hutchinson provided a one-time gift to create the Arkansas Imagination Library (ARIL), a statewide 501c3 nonprofit organization that works with local affiliates to expand the program. As a licensed partner of DPIL, our mission is to increase literacy in Arkansas by ensuring all young children across the state may participate in the Imagination Library. ARIL believes reading begins at birth, the benefits of a home library go far beyond the books, and parents/guardians are a child’s first and best teacher. Since 2017, ARIL has worked with local communities to grow the program from 54 to all 75 counties; increasing the number of children receiving books each month from 16,700 to over 80,000 today (or 43% of the total 0 to 5 population).
By providing books at no cost to families, the Imagination Library increases childhood literacy rates, fosters a love of books, and promotes a culture of reading among underserved families in high-risk communities of Arkansas.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
1. Since 2017, Arkansas Imagination Library (ARIL) has work with local communities to grow the program from 54 to all 75 counties in Arkansas; increasing the number of children receiving books each month from 16,700 to over 80,000 to (or 43% of the total 0-5 population.)
2. Included in the total enrollment numbers, ARIL has grown from 7,318 newborns enrolled (age 0 to 1 - born in 2021/22) to 9,974 newborns enrolled (age 0 to 1 - born 2022/23).
3. From January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022, ARIL served 97,090 total children across the state of Arkansas. ARIL predicts we will serve a total of 125,000 unduplicated children in 2023, of which 20,000 will be age 0 to 1.
4. Preliminary findings from our first data analysis conducted by an outside team shows that enrollment in the Imagination Library decreases retention, and increased kindergarten readiness and third grade literacy test scores. (Walker, J.T.; Parham, C. R.; Holland, G. (2021) Arkansas Research Center, University of Central Arkansas.)
5. Arkansas Imagination Library affiliates have mailed 4.04 million books (and counting) to children in Arkansas since 2005.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We share the feedback we received with the people we serve, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Arkansas Imagination Library
Board of directorsas of 09/01/2023
Mr. Jerry Adams
Arkansas Research Alliance
Term: 2018 - 2023
Mr. Fred Leonard
State Farm Leonard Agency
Term: 2019 - 2024
Houston Davis
University of Central Arkansas
Linda Eilers
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Jackie Govan
Arkansas Head Start
Fred Leonard
State Farm
Clarke Tucker
Poynter Tucker Law Firm
Richard Valentine
Valentine Consulting
Jerry Adams
Arkansas Research Alliance
Lavon Morton
ArcBest
Eddie Lee Herndon
OGE Energy Corp.
Lisenne Rockefeller
Winrock Group
Bobby Hart
Searcy School District
Clarke Tucker
State Senator
Mireya Reith
Arkansas United
Courtney Pledger
Arkansas PBS AETN
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 09/01/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.