Give Like Dolly Day Kicks Off with $200,000 in Donations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Give Like Dolly – Middle Tennessee is kicking off Dolly Day with a major boost for local nonprofits, announcing the Tennessee Titans Foundation, Amazon, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, and Music Community Foundation will collectively contribute over $200,000 to support local organizations carrying forward Dolly Parton’s lifelong spirit of generosity.

The combined $200,000 in contributions will directly support 21 Middle Tennessee nonprofits selected to participate in Give Like Dolly, a three-day giving campaign running September 25–27 as part of the broader Dolly Day celebration.

Inspired by Dolly Parton’s extraordinary legacy of giving back, Give Like Dolly invites people across Middle Tennessee and beyond to celebrate her example by supporting local organizations and causes close to Parton’s heart.

“Dolly showed us that generosity isn’t just about how much you give. It’s about seeing a need and choosing to do something about it,” said Hal Cato, CEO of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “These incredible community leaders are helping launch Give Like Dolly in exactly that spirit. Their generosity will make a real difference for these organizations, and we hope it inspires others across Middle Tennessee to find their own way to give like Dolly.”

The Tennessee Titans and Titans Foundation have long focused on strengthening communities across the region, making Dolly Day a natural opportunity to join others across Middle Tennessee in giving back.

“Dolly Parton’s legacy lives on in how she continues to inspire a spirit of giving and generosity in our community,” said Johari Matthews, Vice President & Executive Director, ONE Community & Titans Foundation. “We are proud to join Middle Tennessee in celebrating Dolly Day and supporting nonprofits making a difference, the Dolly way.”

That same spirit of community investment is also driving Amazon’s participation in Give Like Dolly, joining businesses, organizations, and individuals across the region in celebrating Dolly’s example through giving.

“We give like Dolly because generosity and community are at the heart of who we are,” said Courtney Ross, Senior Manager, Community Engagement, Amazon. “Strong communities start with neighbors investing in one another.”

Artists from across the Music Community Foundation family are also stepping up to support Give Like Dolly, carrying forward the generosity and sense of community Dolly inspired throughout her life.

“Dolly had an incredible gift for making people feel like family, whether you knew her personally or simply felt like you did through her music, her kindness and the way she lived her life,” said Rondal Richardson, Executive Director of the Music Community Foundation. “That same sense of family is at the heart of MCF. And when family needs you, you show up. I’m so proud to see members of our music community doing exactly that through Give Like Dolly, and we invite everyone to join this family, give what you can, and help us carry Dolly’s spirit of generosity forward.”

Four Ways to Give, Plus Dolly’s Imagination Library

Give Like Dolly – Middle Tennessee launches on Dolly Day, Friday, September 25, and continues through Sunday, September 27, giving Middle Tennesseans and Dolly fans everywhere an opportunity to carry her spirit of kindness forward through giving.

A total of 555 organizations submitted for consideration to participate in the campaign. Following an eligibility review, five nonprofits were selected through a lottery for each of four giving areas.

Donors can give through one of the following:

Help a Child Succeed

Supporting organizations helping students overcome barriers, stay engaged in school, and reach their full potential.

Participating nonprofits are Blind Early Services TN (BEST), Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee, McNeilly Center for Children, Nashville Freedom School Partnership, and Sankofa Achievement Center.

Help Someone Heal

Supporting organizations focused on health, healing, recovery, and families facing serious illness.

Participating nonprofits are Dickson Community Clinic, Friendship House, The Heimerdinger Foundation, The Magnolia Foundation, and Nashville CARES.

Help a Neighbor in Need

Supporting organizations meeting immediate needs such as food, housing, safety, and other critical assistance.

Participating nonprofits are American Red Cross of Tennessee River, Dismas House, Ella’s House, Pawster Nashville, and Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity.

Help Someone Find Their Song

Supporting organizations helping young people discover their gifts through music, arts, and creativity.

Participating nonprofits are 4.0 Movement Studios, Girls Write Nashville, Nashville Children’s Theatre, The Quest Center for Art & Community Development, and Words & Music at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Donors can also give directly to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee through a fifth opportunity, Give a Child a Library of Their Own, continuing Dolly’s longstanding commitment to childhood literacy.

Donations to each of the four giving areas will be divided equally among the five participating nonprofits in that area, allowing one gift to support five organizations working toward a shared purpose across Middle Tennessee.

A Weekend of Giving Like Dolly

Give Like Dolly – Middle Tennessee begins September 25 as part of Dolly Day and remains open for giving through September 27.

Give Like Dolly is one of several ways the community can participate in Dolly Day on September 25. Throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee, businesses, musicians, residents, and visitors are encouraged to celebrate through acts of kindness and creative tributes to Dolly’s legacy.

Businesses can participate by donating a portion of September 25 sales or proceeds, while musicians and venues are encouraged to join a region-wide musical tribute by performing Dolly’s iconic “9 to 5” at 5 p.m.

For an updated list of Dolly Day activities and ways to get involved, visit visitmusiccity.com/dollyday.

To learn more about participating nonprofits and to Give Like Dolly, visit: giving9to5.com.

About Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee

Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) brings people, ideas, and funding together to help communities thrive. Through strategic grantmaking, civic leadership, and tools for long-term giving, CFMT partners with donors and organizations to create lasting impact across the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee. cfmt.org

About Music Community Foundation

Music Community Foundation helps artists and their teams build and grow charitable initiatives with trusted guidance, tailored tools, and infrastructure designed for the pace and complexity of the music business. Powered by Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT), the platform builds on decades of experience supporting music-driven philanthropy and community response, now expanded to serve artists nationwide. musiccommunityfoundation.org

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