Dolly Parton, Eric Church celebrated in new Time Magazine philanthropist ranking

Country music superstars Eric Church and Dolly Parton join global icons such as Prince William and Princess Kate, Oprah Winfrey, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and chef José Andrés on the inaugural Time100 Philanthropy list.

This list highlights, as Time CEO Jessica Sibley stated, "the people and ideas shaping the future of giving." Sibley added: "At this pivotal moment, we are proud to honor those whose vision is redefining what it means to lead with purpose and inspiring collective action to move us forward."

Dolly Parton speaks during a press conference moments before the premiere of "Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony" at Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville , Tenn., Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Time will host the Time100 Impact Dinner: Leaders Shaping the Future of Philanthropy on May 22 in New York City, celebrating those featured on the inaugural Time100 Philanthropy list.

The event will feature remarks from those honored, including former professional footballer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist David Beckham; entrepreneur and co-founder of Eat. Learn. Play Foundation Ayesha Curry; Lin-Manuel Miranda; founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst Ken Griffin; president of the Mellon Foundation Elizabeth Alexander; co-chair of the Gill Foundation Ambassador Scott Miller; investor and philanthropist K. Lisa Yang and CEO of Crescent Enterprises and special envoy for business and philanthropy for the UAE Badr Jafar.

Eric Church's 'fulfilling and magical' giving

"Springsteen" vocalist Eric Church was honored for his work in his Western North Carolina community following the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene last year.

Reflecting on co-organizing the benefit concert, Concert for Carolina, alongside fellow country singer Luke Combs, which featured performances by Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, and many other artists, and raised over $24.5 million for hurricane relief efforts, the performer also released a new single, "Darkest Hour," donating all royalties to those impacted by Hurricane Helene. He noted that Farm Aid and the Concert for Bangladesh inspired what he told Time was “the most fulfilling and magical (initiative he's) ever been a part of.” 

Half of the show’s proceeds have benefited how Church’s non-profit, Chief Cares, is focusing on rebuilding homes in his local community. “There were a bunch of really good charities that were all really good at helping them survive. But there was really nothing that I could identify to rebuild these communities.” 

Church and his wife, Katherine Blasingame, have also given millions of dollars in grants to underprivileged families and clothing to a Nepalese orphanage over the last decade. 

Luke Combs and Eric Church discuss details of their Hurricane Helene benefit concert at Q Prime South in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024.

Dolly Parton's four decades of giving

Dolly Parton has set an incredible charitable standard over four decades, earning her the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2022.

Since its inception, Dollywood Foundation's Imagination Library has sent over 270 million free, age-appropriate books to children under five worldwide. She also gave $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in an effort that led to the development of the Moderna vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also funded pediatric infectious disease research at Vanderbilt and gave $12.5 million to families who lost their homes to fires in her native Sevier County, Tennessee, in 2016.

Also, in Oct. 2024, she partnered with the Mountain Ways Foundation to give $1 million to flood victims affected by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee.

“Many people are hurting right now and I can’t stand to see people hurting. These are special people; they’re my people,” said Parton regarding her Mountain Ways gift. “Everyone here grew up in the mountains just like I did, and I’m heartbroken by what I’ve seen."

“We are so grateful to Dolly and her team as she once again leads the way in helping our region repair and rebuild from such a terrible tragedy,” added Mountain Ways Foundation co-founders Joe and Jessi Baker. “Being from East Tennessee, Dolly has been a hero to us our whole lives. Working with her and her team in helping our neighbors is the honor of a lifetime.”

Where to read Time100's Philanthropy List?

“We launched the annual Time100 21 years ago with the belief that individuals have the power to change the world. The new leaders in philanthropy, many of whom are accustomed to great success in their own fields, are eager to see impact and see it now," wrote Time Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs.

“At this pivotal moment, this list tells the stories of how generous donors and leaders of foundations and non-profits are directing funding into the communities that need it most,” added Time reporter Ayesha Javed.