The Dollywood Foundation UK is an independent charity, established in 2008 to deliver Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) to children in the UK. The Imagination Library is the flagship programme of The Dollywood Foundation Inc., and its purpose is to improve children’s lives by inspiring a love of reading. Children enrolled in the Imagination Library receive a free high-quality, age-appropriate book, personally addressed to them, every month from birth to when they turn five.

The benefits to children and their families of developing early reading habits are incalculable: being part of DPIL improves outcomes across a range of measures, from academic attainment to emotional security and stronger family relationships. As Dolly Parton often says, ‘You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children’. In the UK, DPIL work with a network of around 300 local partners who oversee the programme in their area or region, and who mainly fund the (heavily discounted) book purchases. It’s an inclusive, universal offer, though they do prioritise locations where early literacy rates are lower than average. And they're going from strength to strength, currently distributing an amazing 60,000 books in the UK every month.

They have recently secured significant long-term funding from a major UK grant-maker, and want to make sure that they optimise the exciting potential for growth that this presents. The new Fundraising & Communications Director will take the lead on doing just that: developing and implementing a new income strategy, shaping and deploying a full-spectrum communications strategy to support growth, and playing your part in the wider task of scaling up activity, reach and impact in the UK.

Candidates will bring extensive experience of leading a successful fundraising function, and will relish the opportunity to join an ambitious, fast-growing charity at a once-in-a-generation inflection point. You won’t be fazed by working in a small, self-administrating team, and will bring a track record of rapidly establishing strong and lasting donor relationships. A skilled communicator, able to articulate a concise and compelling case for support, you’ll share a passion for early reading and community-driven working.

Find out more, please visit www.dollywood-fundraising.co.uk. If you require the candidate materials in an alternative format, or if you have any questions which are not answered on the microsite, please contact Cadence Partners at dollywood@cadencepartners.co.uk.

Closing date: midnight, 15 June 2025.