FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Anne Marie Helm
Managing Director
Junior League of Nashville
amhelm@jlnashville.org
NASHVILLE, TN — The Junior League of Nashville (JLN) is proud to announce a transformational gift of $1.5 million to the Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF) for Nashville Public Library’s Begin Bright initiative.
This significant investment aims to advance early childhood literacy and ensure Nashville’s children are kindergarten-reading-ready.
The Begin Bright initiative focuses on three key areas:
- A Little Library: Collaboration with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to establish Little Libraries in childcare centers, complete with lesson plans and professional development resources for educators.
- A Literacy Lifeline: Enhanced training for parents and teachers, available both in-person and digitally, which builds upon Nashville Public Library’s trusted early literacy program, Bringing Books to Life.
- A Learning Laboratory: Partnership with Vanderbilt’s Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center to study the impact of Begin Bright over the first four years.
The gift will be funded by JLN’s 1941 Trust over five years. This strategic collaboration underscores the commitment of JLN and NPLF—two of Nashville’s most respected nonprofit institutions—to improving the lives of children through education and literacy. The partnership will also create meaningful volunteer opportunities for JLN members, reinforcing the League’s dedication to hands-on community impact.
JLN President Allie Reed expressed deep enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “At the Junior League of Nashville, our members believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. By investing in early childhood literacy, we are not only shaping brighter futures for Nashville’s children but also honoring the legacy of service and empowerment that defines the Junior League of Nashville. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come.”
“This program simply would not be possible without the generosity of visionary community leaders like the members of JLN,” said NPLF President Shawn Bakker. “We are so grateful, not only for their financial contribution, which will enable the launch of the program, but also for their dedication to ensuring its success through the hands-on involvement of their volunteers.”
For more information about the Begin Bright initiative, visit NPLF’s website.
About The Junior League of Nashville
Founded in 1922, The Junior League of Nashville (JLN) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Today, JLN has more than 1,500 members who are active in charitable causes that improve the lives of women, children, and families. JLN has founded many important Nashville resources, including the Junior League Home for Crippled Children in 1923 (now a part of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt), the Renewal House, and the JLN Children’s Services at the downtown Nashville Public Library. For additional information about JLN, visit www.jlnashville.org or call (615) 269-9393.
About the Nashville Public Library Foundation
The Nashville Public Library Foundation (NPLF), founded in 1997, is a 501(c)3 organization, supporting and fundraising for Nashville Public Library (NPL). The Library depends on public funding to support operations and maintenance; however, it thrives because of private investment. NPLF has raised over $81 million to advance the impact of NPL programs and initiatives, as well as extend the reach and essential nature of NPL. Gifts to NPLF unlock a world of opportunity and access for people of all ages through investment in library resources that build literacy, digital skills, workforce readiness, lifelong learning, and ultimately, create better lives.
About Nashville Public Library
With more than two million books, movies, and music items to choose from — plus great programming and resources to improve early and adult literacy, STEAM, ESL, and other key skills — NPL is Nashville’s gateway to some of the best resources our city has to offer. Every year, across our 21-location system, thousands of visitors discover how our library lives up to our philosophy: at NPL, books are only half the story.