Dolly Parton didn't have kids, but she supported early childhood literacy.

The childless and childfree give more of their estates to charity than parents do.

Lack of networks hinders large-scale philanthropic collaboration among childfree donors.

Endowed as she was with the voice of an angel and a physicality she so adroitly applied for comedic purposes, Dolly Parton’s legacy will never be silenced. Dolly was not criticized for not having children. Instead, she’s heralded as a beacon of balance, generosity, and good humor.

With no children of her own, Dolly’s Imagination Library benefits over three million youth aged five and younger around the world. Each month they receive books at no cost, planting seeds for future literacy and love of reading. “The seeds of dreams are often found in books,” she said, “and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

Giving is often without show,........

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