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Wednesday, Sep 16, 2026

Did DOGE cut Dolly Parton Imagination Library funding in Nevada?

Kate Reynolds, The Nevada Independent
no

Federal funding cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency were not the reason for the pause of Nevada’s two largest affiliates of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to children. Both affiliates relied on state funding sources that dried up last year.

Clark County’s program launched in 2023 through a state-level literacy grant program that the Legislature did not renew in 2025. The program could not secure other funding and paused operations in November. Through private donations, it relaunched this September with a smaller circulation.

The program serving Washoe County and other Northern Nevada counties was funded by a 2023 “Christmas tree” grant from the Legislature. Lawmakers did not authorize any “Christmas tree” grants in 2025, forcing the program to pause in January. 

The Christmas tree grants and the education grants were funded by Nevada’s general fund, a bucket of state money that does not include any federal funding. 

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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