“I’m grateful for the opportunity to support”: How Caitlin Clark turned her WNBA success into a $50,000 act of kindness for hospitalized kids and families at Indianapolis

Caitlin Clark has found another way to help children away from the basketball court. On May 15, 2026, the Caitlin Clark Foundation announced a $50,000 donation to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent in Indianapolis. The gift supports children and families during hospital stays, with the money going towards Child Life Services.The donation also has a personal connection to Clark’s community. Her foundation focuses on helping young people learn, grow and thrive, and this gift puts that mission into action for children facing difficult days in hospital. Caitlin Clark puts $50,000 behind care for young patientsThe Caitlin Clark Foundation announced the donation on May 15, 2026. Later that month, Clark’s mother, Anne Nizzi-Clark, visited Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital on behalf of the foundation to present the gift and spend time with people connected to the hospital’s work.The $50,000 supports Child Life Services, a programme that helps young patients deal with the stress and challenges that can come with being in hospital. Certified Child Life Specialists work with children and their families through education, play, distraction, relaxation and emotional support.That can make a difference during a hospital stay, when a child’s normal routine can suddenly disappear. The programme gives children ways to understand what is happening around them and offers families additional support as they navigate treatment.Clark explained the reason behind the gift in the foundation’s May 15 announcement.“Supporting children and families has always been at the heart of the Foundation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to support Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at Ascension St. Vincent and the important work they do for patients and families in Indianapolis,” Clark said in the foundation’s announcement about the donation.The foundation later highlighted the same donation in a June 2026 social media post, saying the gift went specifically to Child Life Services at the Indianapolis hospital. Caitlin Clark’s work with kids goes well beyond the basketball courtThe Indianapolis donation fits into a larger focus for the Caitlin Clark Foundation. Its stated mission centres on education, nutrition and sports, with the goal of creating opportunities for young people and their communities.The foundation has also backed children's hospitals in Iowa this year. On April 24, 2026, it announced a $22,000 grant to University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. On May 6, it announced another $22,000 grant for Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.Clark also spoke about the Iowa City donation, saying, “I’m a big believer that the right support at the right time can change the trajectory of a person’s day, and sometimes even their future.” She made that comment in the foundation’s April 24 announcement.The $50,000 Indianapolis gift follows that same idea. Clark built her profile through basketball, but her foundation now puts part of that success into programmes designed to help children and families when they need extra care and support.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.