April 18, 2016

McDonough Foundation
P.O. Box 296
Dubuque, IA 52004-0296
Dear McDonough Family,
Dolly Partons Imagination Library (DPIL) began in Dubuque County in January 2015 and has rapidly
developed into Dubuque Countys premier reading program for preschool-aged children. The program
started in 1995 in East Tennessee and now encompasses communities across the United States. It is an
initiative developed by Dolly Parton to foster a love of reading in children and to ensure every child has
access to books regardless of income.
Studies done across the country have shown DPIL programs positively impact reading with children in
the home, kindergarten preparedness scores, and reading proficiency scores later in school. In Tennessee,
where this program has been implemented the longest, DPIL students perform higher on language and
literacy than those not enrolled. Parents also reported that there is more verbal interaction from their
children and an increased desire in independent reading time.
In Iowa, new laws will require children be held back if they are not reading proficiently by the end of
third grade. These new laws will take effect in 2017. At this time, the law will have far-reaching
implications on school districts across the state and right here in Dubuque County as it will impact
approximately 25% of Iowa third graders who are not reading proficiently.
Studies show there is a direct correlation between low reading proficiency, high school dropouts and
incarceration. One in six children who are not reading proficiently in third grade do not graduate from
high school. A study done at Northeastern University showed that incarceration rates are 63 times higher
among dropouts ages 16-24 than they are among college graduates. An investment in early education,
specifically reading, is a powerful tool in increasing graduation rates and lowering incarceration rates.
In the short term, United Ways of Iowa is advocating for intensive summer reading funding at a state level
to help older students reach proficiency levels by 2017. We see DPIL as a valuable tool for increasing
kindergarten preparedness and reading proficiency levels for the long-term. By encouraging an interest in
reading at an earlier age, especially in the lower income populations, we hope to see the same successes
experienced in other areas of the country. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque has instituted
a Campaign for Grade Level Reading. We see DPIL as part of this larger effort. Currently, DPIL is the
only free, county-wide program targeting reading at a preschool level in Dubuque County.
Dolly Partons Imagination Library provides books, once a month, for children birth to age five. Books
are sent straight to childrens homes and are age appropriate with different academic material for each age
group. A panel consisting of five national experts review potential books and decide together which ones
would be best for each age group. Currently, in Dubuque County we have 2,939 of 5,924 eligible children
enrolled in this program. An additional 631 children have already graduated in the last year.
This year we are focusing our efforts on reaching children in high risk communities within our county.
This includes high risk areas in the towns of Dyersville, Dubuque, Balltown, Holy Cross, and
Rickardsville. We have determined the high risk areas based off of free and reduced lunch program maps
available through the state. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, at as early as two
years old, children who live in poverty show lag of cognitive and behavioral development. Often times

low-income families do not have many books in the home, nor do they have close access to libraries or
other means of getting books. DPIL removes barriers to reading such as cost and transportation.
All of the studies referenced in this letter were conducted in other parts of the country. We recognize that
it is necessary to start conducting our own surveys and measuring local metrics to ensure effectiveness of
this program. We plan to begin benchmarking data in the 2016-2017 academic year through parental
surveys and in partnership with Dubuque County school systems. The social work students at local
colleges will assist us in our benchmarking efforts.
We are asking the McDonough Foundation to consider a gift of $7,500 to be used to purchase books for
children enrolled in Dolly Partons Imagination Library. Our annual budget based on current enrollment
for an entire year of the program is just over $74,000. This equates to $25.20 per child per year or $2.10
per book per month. Your gift of $7,500 equates to nearly 10% of the total cost to United Way to run the
program on an annual basis and will serve 297 of our communitys children.
Your investment in United Way of Dubuque Area Tri-States is an essential part of our success. This
program is just one example of our United Ways transition to a Community Impact Model, and I would
welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss this strategic move and what it will mean for how we
fund and measure impact initiatives in the future. I can be reached at (563)588-1415 or by email at
joey.taylor@dbqunitedway.org. Thank you for considering our request, and I look forward to hearing
back from you.
Sincerely,

Joey Taylor
President and CEO