SOI 1266 Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (1.2)

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services, through its Bureau of Contract Management, is issuing Solicitation of Interest 1266, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (Round 1.2), to support qualified organizations participating in Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The program is a community-based initiative that mails free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to registered children from birth until their fifth birthday. Through this solicitation, OCFS seeks to provide financial assistance to new Local Program Partners and established Program Partners that want to increase enrollment within existing coverage areas or expand into new areas. The opportunity is statewide in New York State except for the five boroughs of New York City. Individual grants are available from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $50,000. Grant funds must be used toward the monthly costs billed by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Local Program Partners enroll children in their selected coverage areas and pay, on average, $2.60 per child per month toward wholesale book and mailing costs. The grant may fund up to 50 percent of these monthly costs. Approved applicants must provide a dollar-for-dollar match, with OCFS providing no more than 50 percent of the funds required for participation. Awards may be made for the full requested amount or a partial amount depending on evaluation recommendations and available funding. Funding is contingent on available state and/or federal budget resources and the number of eligible applicants. Eligible applicants must be authorized to do business in New York State and must be a New York State 501(c)(3) library, public library system, not-for-profit organization, school district, or board of cooperative educational services. Organizations serving the five boroughs of New York City are excluded from this solicitation. Applicants must have a Memorandum of Agreement with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to serve New York State youth as a Local Program Partner at the time of application or agree to obtain one within 60 days if selected for an award. Nonprofit organizations must be prequalified in the New York Statewide Financial System at the time of application if they are not exempt. Round 1 awardees under SOI 1234 may apply only if they were not previously funded at the maximum amount or have another MOA or Sub MOA that has not already been funded at the Round 1 maximum. Applications are submitted through a required two-step process. Beginning September 14, 2026, applicants must first complete the online administrative form. This generates an application number and a confirmation email from funding@ocfs.ny.gov. Applicants must then reply to that confirmation email without altering its subject line and attach the required application documents. The email body must contain the applicant's legal name, address, and application number. Required documents include Attachment 1 - Application Form, Attachment 2 - NYS Grants for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Participation Certification, and a copy of the applicant's MOA with Dollywood for participation as a Local Program Partner if available. Other documents identified by OCFS may be submitted with the response or required during post-award contract development. Facsimile and hard-copy applications are not accepted. OCFS will first conduct an internal review to confirm eligibility. Among organizations meeting the requirements and determined suitable for the program, OCFS will rank applications first according to the highest percentage below poverty level among the populations proposed to be served and then according to the order in which applications are received. Awards will continue until available funding is exhausted. OCFS may request additional information before making its determination, and requested information must be provided within five business days or as otherwise directed. Eligible organizations will be notified of their status and proposed award amount, if any. Release of an award requires an approved AC 3253-S Claim for Payment and acceptable evidence that required matching funds are on deposit with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Within 30 days after grant award payment, grantees must provide documentation showing that the full grant payment was deposited with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. The solicitation was issued August 24, 2026. Written questions are due September 4, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with responses expected on or about September 14, 2026. The application submission period opens September 14, 2026, and applications are due September 28, 2026, by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Questions and applications are directed to funding@ocfs.ny.gov, with the Director of Contracts, Office of Children and Family Services, serving as the primary and submission contact. Contracts are anticipated to last up to one year and begin no earlier than November 1, 2026, and no later than February 28, 2027. Services cannot begin before the approved contract start date. A final report is required once all grant funds are expended or at the end of the grant period, but no later than September 5, 2028. The solicitation does not state that this funding round recurs on an annual or other regular schedule.

Prioritize a clear and accurate presentation of the poverty percentage for the population proposed to be served because OCFS ranks eligible applications first by the highest percentage below poverty level. Submit as early as practical because order of receipt is the secondary ranking factor. Complete both submission steps, verify every attachment is complete and viewable, do not alter the confirmation email subject line, and confirm OCFS receipt before the deadline.