Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the 40 middle Tennessee counties it serves, announces $2.8 million in grants have been awarded to 432 non profits. Bedford County’s Imagination Library is one recipient.

The library will receive $5,000 to mail free over 2,550 books to children ages birth to 5 in Bedford County. The cost to provide and mail each books to each child is $2.15.

Bedford County Imagination Library is a non profit in partnership with the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation and the Dollywood Foundation.

The local Imagination Library Board is comprised of 12 to 15 volunteer business professionals who are charged with raising over $30,000 each year from corporations, civic organizations and individuals for the program.

“The work of our nonprofit partners has never been more important as we watch needs emerge and evolve in this community,” said Ellen Lehman, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee president. “The Community Foundation is honored to connect generosity with need through these annual grants and other avenues throughout the year, but we couldn’t have an impact without the array of quality nonprofits offering solutions to our communities’ needs and vital services to our neighbors.”

The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds through an open application process to middle Tennessee nonprofits.