National Philanthropic Trust

09/01/2026

Last week, America mourned the loss of Dolly Parton. Her legacy as a singer and songwriter is indelible — and so, too, is her legacy as a philanthropist.

In the same year that Parton was named to Forbes magazine’s list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women, she was also honored with the 2022 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in recognition of her outstanding charitable contributions.

That night’s honor focused on the most robust philanthropic endeavor of her life: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton started the initiative in 1995 in honor of her father: a man she credited as having tremendous savvy and business acumen, but who never learned to read or write. The model was simple: every child under five enrolled in the program would receive a free book directly to their home each month until school age, in the hopes of inspiring an early love of books and reading. The program's scope started in her childhood home, Tennessee's Sevier County, but it has expanded to communities throughout the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. To date, the Imagination Library has gifted more than 332 million books to children.

The scope of Parton’s philanthropy, however, has not been limited to education:

💉 She donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to support research into COVID-19, which was instrumental in the creation of the Moderna vaccine.
🏠 She launched the My People Fund, which gave families affected by the 2016 Gatlinburg wildfires monthly direct cash assistance for six months.
🏥 She has given to improve pediatric medical care and support research into pediatric infectious diseases...
🦅 ...to support preservation efforts for the bald eagle, earning her the Partnership Award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2003...
🎺...and, according to some internet sleuths, even anonymously footed the bill for high school marching band uniforms in economically disadvantaged areas of the South.

Dolly Parton’s philanthropic impact is immeasurable, and shows no sign of stopping. She made an enormous difference with her wealth in her lifetime, but her legacy also serves as an inspiration to future philanthropists.

In her acceptance speech for the Medal of Philanthropy, she referenced the Carnegie name as being associated with the kind of wealth that felt out of reach as a child. She said it was wonderful to learn that millionaires like Carnegie or Rockefeller had also, like her, once been poor — but that they “were so willing to give so much to help so many. And if I can just do my small part in this world, then that’s all I’d ask.”

08/27/2026

Massive flash flooding struck northern Nepal on August 26, causing widespread destruction across communities near the country's border with Tibet in China. Triggered by a glacial collapse in the Himalayas, floodwaters and debris swept through villages, damaging or destroying homes, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure and leaving hundreds of people missing as search and rescue operations continue.

While local organizations and first responders are leading relief efforts, philanthropic support can help expand emergency response operations, provide critical supplies and services, and assist affected communities as they begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding.

For donors looking to help, NPT has compiled a non-exhaustive list of nonprofits supporting communities affected by the flash flooding in Nepal and the surrounding region: https://bit.ly/3SbmLp2

Massive flash flooding struck northern Nepal on August 26, causing widespread destruction […]

08/12/2026

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on August 10, causing widespread destruction across Chocó and cities including Cali, Pereira, Quibdó and Manizales.

While local organizations and first responders are leading relief efforts, philanthropic support can help expand emergency response operations, provide critical supplies and services, and assist affected communities as they begin the long process of recovery and rebuilding.

For donors looking to help, NPT has compiled a non-exhaustive list of nonprofits supporting communities affected:

 Following a powerful earthquake striking Colombia, learn about organizations providing emergency relief, medical care, shelter, and long-term recovery support to affected communities. 

06/26/2026

Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela this week, damaging homes, hospitals, infrastructure, and public services across Caracas, La Guaira, and surrounding communities.

The earthquakes have left thousands of people in need of emergency assistance. With aftershocks continuing and infrastructure severely impacted, immediate humanitarian needs include shelter, clean water, food, medical supplies, and psychosocial support for displaced families.

For donors looking to help, supporting established organizations with experience responding to major disasters can be an effective way to contribute to both immediate relief efforts and longer-term recovery.

Read on for guidance on how to support affected communities:

Following two earthquakes that struck Venezuela, learn about organizations providing emergency relief and long-term recovery support.

06/05/2026

An emerging Ebola outbreak in Central and East Africa has prompted an international public health response, as alarms are being raised about cross-border transmission in a region with ongoing humanitarian and healthcare challenges.

NPT has compiled a non-exhaustive list of nonprofits supporting communities affected by the Ebola outbreak: https://bit.ly/4e0iZXH

While healthcare workers and local authorities are leading response efforts on the ground, philanthropic support can help expand access to treatment, provide critical supplies, and support community-based education efforts designed to reduce transmission and protect vulnerable populations.

For donors looking to help, supporting established organizations with experience responding to infectious disease outbreaks can be an effective way to contribute to both immediate relief efforts and longer-term recovery.

As the Ebola outbreak impacts Central and East Africa, discover organizations providing care and supporting recovery efforts.

04/27/2026

April is , a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the individuals who give their time and talent to improve their communities.

Giving is central to what we do at NPT, so we foster a culture where employees are encouraged and empowered to pursue volunteerism. To celebrate this , we're sharing a few memories of NPT volunteer teams in action: walking foster dogs, delivering meals to the food insecure, and packing winter coats for those in need.

Curious about volunteering? Learn how you can get involved here: https://bit.ly/3wId0yk