08/27/2026
Dolly Parton's philanthropy was as prolific as her songwriting, her generosity as sophisticated as her musicianship.
Dolly's giving pattern followed the tenants I teach in my work as a Philanthropic Advisor at Arkansas Community Foundation.
1. Give where you live.
Dolly funded disaster relief when wildfires devastated the Great Smoky Mountains, supported a program to improve high school graduation rates in her hometown, and created a scholarship program for kids in her community.
Proximity gives us perspective. It also gives us the opportunity to see the impact of our giving up close and personal!
2. Let your lived experience inform your giving.
Dolly valued education because she was the first in her family to graduate high school. She supported early childhood literacy because her father couldn't read. She gave to a children's hospital because her niece received treatment for Leukemia there.
What experiences have you had in your life, good or bad, that give you inspiration? When you give to something you've experienced first-hand, the reward is even greater!
3. Giving back is an expression of our values.
Dolly was a believer. She lived out her faith in the way she loved and accepted her fellow man. Charitable giving was a natural expression of that love.
Whether it is your faith, your values, or your heritage that motivates you, philanthropy puts your beliefs into action.
4. Use the right vehicle(s).
Dolly gave from her own pocketbook. She gave from her companies. She gave through the Dollywood Foundation.
All of our assets aren't sitting in our pocketbook. (At least I hope your's aren't!) We have income (cash), investments (securities), retirement (IRAs, etc. ) and real assets (home, real estate, farmland). We may even own our own business. WHAT you give and HOW you give is so important! Seek guidance from the professional advisors you work with.
5. Involve others.
Dolly didn't just give her own wealth away. She encouraged others to give as well. She used her talent and her platform to raise funds for issues she herself was supporting. She inspired her friends including Loretta Lynn, Taylor Swift, and Travis Kelce.
While we may never be a beloved, global icon like St. Dolly, all of us have our own circle of influence. When we believe in and support a cause, our friends will join us. We just have to ask!
Perhaps most importantly...
6. Do what YOU can do.
Everyone has a different capacity for giving. Dolly earned millions and she gave millions away. That isn't realsitic for most, BUT... everyone has something to offer. Dolly once said, "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours."
If you have enough, if you have a little extra, give a little extra away.
Just do your part.
What a wonderful way to honor, celbrate, and remember the great Dolly Parton.
The country star supported early childhood literacy, disaster relief, the development of the Covid-19 vaccine and more.
