Early Childhood Literacy Matters
Invest in School Readiness & Family Engagement
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Snohomish County is a countywide early literacy initiative coordinated by United Way of Snohomish County.
The program provides free, high-quality books each month to children from birth to age five, helping families build strong literacy habits and school readiness skills during the most critical years of child development.
Program Outcomes & Community Impact
Since its launch in 2023, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Snohomish County has:
- Mailed more than 375,000 books to local children
- Engaged more than 20,000 children countywide
- Graduated more than 6,900 early readers into kindergarten
- Built one of the largest Imagination Library programs in Washington State
The program reaches families across urban, suburban, and rural communities throughout Snohomish County.
Inclusivity & Cultural Diversity
Every eligible child is welcomed equally into the Imagination Library of Snohomish County.
There are no income qualifications or barriers beyond residency and age eligibility. Families simply enroll their child and begin receiving books that become treasured resources within their homes. This universal approach reduces stigma while ensuring that every child has access to the same opportunity to develop essential early literacy skills.
In Snohomish County, United Way also conducts additional outreach to community partners to raise awareness and extend enrollment opportunities to children who may be experiencing homelessness.
Beginning in June 2025, families can now choose between two collections of Imagination Library books:
- a primarily English book collection with occasional bilingual English/Spanish books, or
- a 100% bilingual English/Spanish book collection.
Plus, families can now select their preferred language for program communications, making the experience even more accessible and inclusive.
And since 2011, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has partnered with American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. to provide many of the wonderful books in our program, available in braille and audio format to be accessible to young children who are blind and low vision.
Public Funding Cut — Community Support Is Essential
Each book represents a shared investment. The program costs approximately $2.60 per child each month—just $31 for an entire year of books.
Until recently, those costs were shared equally:
• 50% funded by United Way of Snohomish County
• 50% funded through the Imagination Library of Washington’s state-supported match
But Washington State has eliminated funding for that critical match and, now more than ever, United Way needs the support of donors, sponsors, and community partners to prevent enrollment restrictions and ensure books continue reaching local children every month.
Community support is essential to success!
Challenges Facing Local Families
Across Snohomish County, thousands of households continue to experience financial instability despite being employed.
According to recent ALICE data:
- 31% of households are classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)
- 9% of households are living below the Federal Poverty Level
- Combined, 40% of county households are struggling financially
These pressures affect access to educational resources, early learning opportunities, and long-term student success.
Early intervention matters.
Why This Model Is Effective
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library combines:
- High-quality, age-appropriate books
- Direct monthly delivery to homes
- Parent and caregiver engagement
- Consistent early learning reinforcement
- Excitement and routine around reading
The result is a simple but powerful intervention that strengthens literacy, connection, and confidence before a child ever enters a classroom.
Studies & Surveys
Let’s Build the Future Together
Strong readers become strong learners. Strong learners build strong communities.
Together, we can ensure children across Snohomish County have the tools they need to thrive from the very beginning. Email Director of Resource Development Megan Ruth.
Strategic Funding Partnerships
Support countywide early literacy and school readiness outcomes.
Community Outreach Collaborations
Help increase awareness and enrollment among families.
Educational Partnerships
Coordinate with schools, libraries, and early learning providers.
Corporate & Civic Engagement
Align community investment with measurable educational impact.
Funding Landscape
The sustainability of local programming has become increasingly dependent on community investment.
Recent state budget reductions eliminated key matching funds previously used to support local Imagination Library affiliates throughout Washington.
As a result, United Way of Snohomish County is actively building partnerships with:
- Foundations
- Corporate sponsors
- Schools and educational partners
- Community organizations
- Civic leaders and advocates
These partnerships are critical to maintaining and expanding equitable access to early literacy resources.
Email Director of Resource Development Megan Ruth
About United Way
United Way of Snohomish County brings people, resources, and strategy together to improve lives—so every family can reach their fullest potential, now and for generations to come, regardless of race, place, or ability.
Since our founding as the Everett Community Chest in 1941, we have worked to coordinate charitable giving and direct resources where they are needed most across our community. Today, that work has evolved.
United Way is no longer just a fundraiser—we are a strategic community impact investor, partnering with local organizations and initiatives to advance equitable, community-led solutions.
We invest in four core focus areas to remove systemic barriers and expand access to opportunity across our community.
- Youth Opportunity
- Financial Security
- Healthy Community
- Community Resilience
These investments stabilize households, strengthen local systems, and help families move from surviving to thriving.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Snohomish County reflects this long-term commitment to helping every child and family reach their fullest potential.
United Way of Snohomish County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN 91-0565020.
Email Director of Resource Development Megan Ruth
