Country icon Dolly Parton has committed $12.9 million from her tour bonuses and sponsorship deals to establish homeless support centers in rural Tennessee, offering permanent housing and emergency shelters to those in need.

Dolly Parton’s commitment to her home state takes center stage once more with a major donation aimed at tackling housing challenges in rural Tennessee. The country music legend has pledged $12.9 million, sourced entirely from her recent tour bonuses and brand sponsorship earnings, to build a network of support centers for the homeless. This effort will create more than 150 permanent housing units and 300 emergency shelter beds, focusing on individuals and families in underserved communities across the region where she grew up.

Parton made the announcement at a press conference in Sevierville, Tennessee, her tone warm yet resolute as she addressed the crowd. “I’ve noticed too many fine people in these small towns going unnoticed—depending on their vehicles or church entrances for shelter,” she stated. “My upbringing taught me to support a neighbor during hard times, and I intend to follow that—not only through my music, but through tangible actions.” The initiative, channeled through her longstanding Dollywood Foundation, represents a direct investment in stability for areas often bypassed by larger-scale aid programs.

This project fits naturally into Parton’s decades-long pattern of philanthropy, which has consistently prioritized education, health, and community recovery in Tennessee. Established in 1988 with the launch of her Dollywood theme park in the Smoky Mountains, the foundation has evolved into a powerhouse for local development. It has funneled resources into everything from literacy drives to disaster response, always with an eye toward sustainable change. Parton’s approach emphasizes starting close to home—Sevier County, where she was born—before expanding outward, a strategy that has amplified her impact without losing its personal touch.

One standout example came in the aftermath of the 2016 wildfires that swept through the Great Smoky Mountains, affecting Gatlinburg and nearby areas including Pigeon Forge, site of Dollywood. The blazes displaced thousands and damaged hundreds of structures, straining local resources. Parton responded by creating the My People Fund, which provided $1,000 monthly for six months to each family that lost their primary home. Bolstered by contributions from her businesses and public donations, the fund raised and distributed over $12 million by 2017. Those resources covered essentials like rent support, utility payments, groceries, and counseling services, helping families regain footing during a prolonged recovery. “Charity begins at home,” Parton remarked then, a principle that clearly guides her current endeavor.

Natural disasters have prompted similar swift action from Parton over the years. In December 2021, when severe flooding overwhelmed Humphreys County in Middle Tennessee, she and her Smoky Mountain companies raised $700,000 for relief. The funds, directed through the United Way of Humphreys County at the suggestion of her friend and fellow artist Loretta Lynn, addressed urgent requirements such as temporary lodging, meal provisions, and reconstruction materials. This targeted distribution ensured aid reached isolated rural spots where need was greatest, underscoring Parton’s knack for efficient, community-led responses.

Beyond crisis relief, Parton’s efforts shine in preventive and empowering programs. Her Imagination Library, a Dollywood Foundation cornerstone launched in Sevier County in 1995, sends free books to children from birth through age five to foster early reading habits in economically challenged households. Now a global operation, it has distributed over 200 million books, with hundreds of thousands reaching Tennessee kids each year. Parton frequently ties this to her own Locust Ridge childhood as the fourth of 12 children in a one-room cabin: “Books were my way out when options were few,” she has shared. The program’s success in combating poverty through knowledge has earned widespread praise.

Health support forms another pillar of her work. In 2017, inspired by her niece’s leukemia treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, Parton donated $1 million to advance pediatric cancer research and care. She followed with another $1 million in 2020 to the same institution for pediatric infectious disease studies. That same year, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, she contributed $1 million to Vanderbilt’s coronavirus research efforts, aiding the development of the highly effective Moderna vaccine. “I’m glad if my support helps anyone else,” she told reporters, expressing optimism for accessible medical progress.

Parton’s generosity reaches further afield while staying true to her values. In December 2023, she donated $1 million to The Salvation Army during its Red Kettle Campaign launch, coinciding with her halftime show at a Dallas Cowboys game. Split across U.S. territories, the gift supported about 2.5 million meals for those facing food shortages over the holidays. “They provide more than holiday cheer—they nourish people year-round,” Parton observed, noting the organization’s roles in shelter, recovery support, and youth initiatives.

High-profile backing has boosted her reach. In 2022, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez presented her with $100 million via their Courage and Civility Award—an unrestricted, tax-free grant. Parton directed portions toward Imagination Library growth and animal welfare, including ties with wildlife centers. “It’s an honor to earn that confidence,” she said, pledging to extend the benefits.

Observers commend Parton’s method: grounded in regional insight, broad in application, and understated in execution. Now 79, she stays engaged with her Rockstar residency in Nashville and new music releases blending timeless appeal with modern partnerships. Her public image—the bedazzled entertainer with sharp humor—contrasts a steadfast resolve to contribute. Honors like the 2022 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy and 2019 MusiCares Person of the Year followed, though Parton downplays them: “Nice to get, but real progress in lives? That’s the true reward.”

The timing of this homeless initiative aligns with pressing issues in rural America. Tennessee contends with housing deficits worsened by economic pressures, rising costs, and demographic shifts. Rural zones, frequently sidelined in policy discussions, face elevated instability rates. Parton’s centers will go beyond basics, incorporating job preparation, guidance services, and childcare. Building starts in early 2026, with initial openings in Sevier and adjacent counties. Officials hail it as a “transformative step,” highlighting job opportunities in construction and ongoing community positions.

Parton’s path—from rural hardship to worldwide acclaim—captures country music’s self-reliant spirit. She’s crafted an empire: Dollywood sustains thousands of jobs, her songbook endures across eras, and her ventures include books, films, and streaming projects. Valued at roughly $650 million, she maintains a simple life in her Smoky Mountain residence, away from urban spotlight. “Fame’s just work attire,” she jests. Her contributions stem from belief, not duty—ensuring others access the opportunities she seized.

Further involvement is possible via the Dollywood Foundation site, with project news forthcoming. Parton wrapped her announcement invoking family and faith: “We’re like one big gathering—let’s ensure everyone has a place.” Amid quick news cycles, Dolly Parton’s consistent efforts show stardom’s best light glows in service, elevating communities alongside her own ascent.