“I want to inspire and support others”: How Caitlin Clark’s foundation backs 22,000+ students through books, food aid and safe courts

Caitlin Clark’s work off the basketball court is reaching children through books, food support, hospital programmes and free sports facilities. The Indiana Fever star’s foundation has backed a 22,000-book donation, helped raise more than $300,000 through a food donation campaign and supported children receiving hospital care. Its work focuses on three areas: education, nutrition and sports. From Des Moines, Iowa, to Indianapolis, Indiana, these projects aim to give young people more chances to learn, stay healthy and take part in sports, regardless of their family’s financial situation.How has Caitlin Clark turned her basketball success into support for children?Caitlin Clark’s rise from a young basketball player in Iowa to one of the WNBA’s biggest stars has given her a platform to support young people. Through the Caitlin Clark Foundation, she is directing attention and resources towards needs that go beyond basketball, including access to books, healthy food and places to play.The foundation’s mission is built around three areas: education, nutrition and sports. Each addresses a different challenge faced by children and families. Access to books can support learning, food assistance can help families meet everyday needs, and safe sports facilities can give young people a place to exercise and build friendships.Clark has also used the number 22, which she wears on her jersey, as a theme for several donations. The foundation has announced grants of $22,000 to organisations supporting children and families in Iowa. These gifts have included support for Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines, the Coralville Community Food Pantry and children’s services at the University of Iowa.The approach links Clark’s success in basketball with practical support for communities. Rather than focusing only on large public donations, the foundation works with local organisations that already understand the needs of the children and families they serve.What has Caitlin Clark’s foundation done to fight childhood hunger and improve access to books?Food support has been one of the foundation’s main areas of work. In March 2025, it partnered with supermarket chain Hy-Vee on a campaign that asked shoppers to round up their bills or make direct donations at checkout. The money was collected to support local food banks and pantries through Feeding America’s network.The campaign raised more than $300,000, according to the foundation’s published report. The funds were intended to help local food banks provide meals to families facing food insecurity across the Midwest. The effort also showed how small contributions from shoppers could add up to a much larger sum when collected across many stores.Hy-Vee also worked with the foundation on a separate cereal campaign. Its limited-edition Caitlin’s Crunch Time cereal went on sale in 2025, with part of the proceeds supporting the foundation’s programmes. In January 2026, the foundation announced that the campaign had raised more than $100,000.These projects are part of the foundation’s nutrition work, which focuses on helping children and families access food. For households struggling with everyday expenses, support from food banks can help cover a basic need while leaving more room in the budget for other essentials.Education is another major part of Clark’s work. In January 2025, the foundation announced a partnership with Scholastic that began with a donation of 22,000 new children’s books. The books were intended for programmes reaching children who have limited access to reading material, including those in under-resourced schools.The aim goes beyond putting books on shelves. Reading from an early age helps children build language skills, improve their understanding and use their imagination. Having books at home or in school can also give young readers more chances to practise outside classroom hours.The donation gives the foundation a way to support learning through an established publishing partner. It also adds an education programme to its work on food support and sports facilities, giving the foundation several ways to reach children with different needs.These efforts are especially relevant for families who cannot easily pay for extra books, organised activities or other resources. By working with existing organisations, the foundation can direct support towards programmes already serving children in their communities.How are Caitlin Clark and Musco Lighting creating safer places for children to play?Clark’s sports projects focus on giving children places where they can play without having to pay for private training or join expensive sports leagues. Her foundation partnered with Musco Lighting to bring multi-sport courts to public middle schools in Des Moines.The project includes four schools: Hiatt Middle School, Callanan Middle School, McCombs Middle School and Weeks Middle School. The courts are designed for basketball, soccer and futsal, a smaller-sided form of soccer. They include goals, hoops, lighting, fencing and accessible entrances. These features allow children to use the facilities for different activities and make the courts easier to access.The project is important because a safe place to play can make a difference for children who do not have access to private sports facilities. Public school grounds can also bring sports closer to where children live, making it easier for them to take part.The partnership with Musco Lighting connects directly to the foundation’s wider goal of supporting children through sports. It is not just about helping young athletes improve their skills. Having a place to play can also give children opportunities to make friends, learn teamwork and stay active.The foundation has also worked on back-to-school projects, distributing backpacks filled with school supplies. Partners including Nike, Hy-Vee, Scholastic and Gatorade have supported these efforts. The aim is to help students start the school year with the materials they need.How is Caitlin Clark’s foundation helping children in hospitals?Clark’s work also reaches children who cannot spend their days in school or on a sports court because they are receiving medical care. The foundation’s Turning Pages, Healing Hearts programme brings books and activities to young patients during hospital stays.In 2026, the programme launched at Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. It was also introduced at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines and University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City.The programme includes book vending machines, activity packs and opportunities for children to choose books of their own. Patients can earn tokens through activities and milestones during their care, then use them to select a book to keep.For children spending time in hospital, this can offer a welcome break from medical routines. Choosing a story or completing an activity gives them something enjoyable to focus on during a difficult period. It also supports reading and creative activities while they are away from their usual classrooms and friends.The foundation has also announced a $50,000 donation to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital to support Child Life Services, which helps children and families manage the emotional challenges of hospital care. The donation adds to its wider support for young patients in Indiana and Iowa.Clark has explained the purpose behind her charitable work in a statement on the foundation’s website: “I started the Caitlin Clark Foundation because I want to inspire and support others, especially young people, to chase their dreams and give back to their communities,” Clark stated. “It’s about making a lasting impact and creating opportunities for those who need it most”.Her foundation’s projects now cover several everyday needs, from food and school supplies to books and sports facilities. The work brings together local organisations, businesses and schools to support children in the communities where the foundation operates.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.