Bigger Smiles Grants (Imagination Library Partnership)

Bigger Smiles Grants

Funder: Delta Dental of Tennessee in partnership with Governor's Books from Birth Foundation (GBBF)

Program Status: Active

Geographic Scope: Tennessee (selected counties with Imagination Library programs)

Focus Areas:

• Early childhood literacy support
• Enrollment growth for Imagination Library programs
• Integration of oral health and reading initiatives

Program Overview:
Delta Dental of Tennessee partners with Governor's Books from Birth Foundation to award Bigger Smiles grants to support enrollment growth of Imagination Library programs in selected Tennessee counties. These grants help Imagination Library programs in participating counties sustain growing book costs due to high-volume enrollment.

Background:

• Tennessee's Imagination Library is made available to all children ages birth to five through a partnership between GBBF, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, and local affiliate programs in each of Tennessee's 95 counties
• Children receive one high-quality, age-appropriate book each month in the mail
• As of 2018: 69% of the state's total age-eligible population (more than 281,000 preschoolers) were enrolled statewide
• Children who develop basic literacy skills by kindergarten entry are better prepared for school success
• Research shows children not developing literacy skills by school entry are 3-4 times more likely to drop out later

Delta Dental's Involvement:

• Delta Dental has invested in Tennessee's Imagination Library since the statewide program began in 2004
• Provides grants and ongoing financial support
• Board representation through leadership