EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – The Family Resource Center (FRC) Board of Directors approved a contract with BrandRaise to initiate a $1.6 million donation fundraising campaign, funded by the Pablo Foundation, to support the Dolly program Parton Imagination Library in Eau Claire County in perpetuity. This campaign follows a positive campaign readiness study, which affirms community support and the ability to long-term fund the program and early childhood literacy in Eau Claire County.

In October 2022, with the generous support of the Pablo Foundation, the FRC became an official affiliate of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, a global literacy initiative for children ages 0-5. Over the past two years, enrollment has increased significantly, rapidly approaching funding capacity. To date, more than 37,000 books have been delivered to children throughout Eau Claire County, creating a lasting impact on early literacy.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Pablo Foundation and the enthusiasm of our community, we quickly reached a crucial moment in the life of this program. By establishing an endowment fund, we can ensure that Eau Claire County children continue to receive high-quality books in their early years, giving them a strong foundation for success in school and beyond,” said Jennifer Eddy, MD , executive director of the Family Resource Center.

This announcement comes just as the organization reaches its 25th anniversary, with a family celebration scheduled at its center in Oakwood Mall on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “What a kiss! “Our family-friendly event will also highlight the philanthropy of our community that has supported us by supporting parents over the past two and a half decades.” Eddy hopes parents will bring their young children to the event, which will feature games, balloons, a bounce house, face painting and free raffle prizes, and where children will be able to sign up for the literacy program.

Research shows that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, the world’s largest literacy initiative for children ages 0-5, increases the number of books in children’s homes, encourages daily parent-child reading, and improves preparation for kindergarten. Each child enrolled in the program receives an age-appropriate book in the mail once a month, at no cost to families. Through its local affiliates like the FRC, the program supports literacy for all children, regardless of income.

The donation fundraising campaign will be led by BrandRaise, a consulting firm specializing in fundraising and branding strategies for nonprofit organizations. The generous funding provided by the Pablo Foundation has already laid the foundation for the sustainability of the program. Your total gift of $522,997 includes a direct gift of $50,000 toward the endowment and also covers program costs through 2027, including administration, book delivery, fundraising, and communications consulting. The new endowment fund, which will be established at the Eau Claire Community Foundation, will ensure that the program remains a permanent fixture in Eau Claire County, providing books to children for many years to come.

“The Pablo Foundation is committed to transformative change in Eau Claire, which is exactly what this educational initiative represents,” says Executive Director MaiVue Xiong. “This innovative, multi-year project supports our trusted nonprofit partner, the Family Resource Center, as it works to make the Imagination Library self-sustaining in our community.”

Short-term committees are currently being formed for the project. For more information about how to support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library donation drive or to get involved, contact the Family Resource Center at [email protected].

Copyright 2024 WEAU. All rights reserved.