Becky Osborne has researched the Dolly Parton “Imagination Library” as a way to leverage & expand the ideas presented by Carolyn Collins in her “Helping Hands in Literacy” proposal. For children under 5 years of age, through the Imagination library our club would send each kid one high quality hard cover book each month (labeled “Brought to you by the Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club”). Consider what this might do for children in our area: Think of the excitement each child, no matter what the financial circumstances of their family, will experience anticipating and then receiving their very own book every month in the mail. Think of the impact upon families when the child gets a parent or other family member to read them this book. Think of the seeds of inquiry and interest these books may plant in our youth and how this may drive them to be more literate throughout their life. “Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Introduction
Although the cost per book is phenomenally low (<$3/book = about $28 per child per year!), some facts should be considered: For whatever criteria we use for defining enrollment for children (such as and zip codes), we must allow all children the ability to enroll free of charge. This has implications for the potential financial commitments for our Club. Although, the program is year-by-year, we certainly are looking to build a sustainable Signature Project. We must either be a 501(c)(3) or run this program through an associated 501(c)(3) (such as the Community Foundation). We can start the program with all ages under 5yrs or newborns only… but we cannot select to start the program with, for example, 4 yr olds. Aside from some minor database management, our Club Signature Project would largely require Fundraising and Marketing activities. “Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Cost Analysis
“Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Cost Analysis
“Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Cost Analysis From the 2000 Census: zip code has 1,562 children under age 5 zip code has 2,163 children under age 5 Total: 3,725 Estimate 3,725/5 = 745 newborns The Dolly Parton Imagination Library website predicts 20 to 30% participation the first year. If we also limit to newborns the first year: 745 x 0.3 (30% participation) x $28/child + $355 (registration brochures) + $125 (estimated Community Foundation fee) = $6,738 First year cost. This seems feasible. But what about subsequent years?
“Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Cost Analysis Information Becky received from Pam Hunsaker at the Imagination Library states that 70% is the highest participation rate in the US and Canada. So ultimately, for participation of all five age groups, the sustainable annual cost estimate is: 3,725 x 0.70 (70% participation) x $28/child + $685 (brochures) +$2000 (Community Foundation fee estimate) = $75,695 per year. Assumes the numbers used are more or less constant (population, annual costs per child etc…) One would assume this is more than our small club can sustain on our own. What can we do? Can we get matching or other supporting grants? Very Important! Rotary International, District etc… State and or Federal Grants? USDA rural grants?
“Service Above Self” Traverse Bay Twilight Rotary Club Imagination Library Cost Analysis What can we do? (continued) Increasing Club membership helps! Other ideas? Open questions are: Is defining our Signature Project in terms of Fundraising and Marketing efforts (that may not occur simultaneously among Club members) versus “hands on” efforts consistent with Club membership support? Can we get matching and other supporting grants? Are any of the Cost Analysis numbers expected to increase (dramatically)? Carolyn’s “Helping Hands in Literacy” also had other components such as “Daddy Reads To Me”. Can we get support from others (Toyota, Scholastic Books, Horizon Books etc…) for these also?