Whether she’s inspiring young minds or championing meaningful causes, Caitlin Clark’s drive to make a difference is as fierce and focused as her game on the court.

On her birthday today, the Caitlin Clark Foundation announced a powerful new initiative in partnership with Scholastic’s national literacy program. The foundation has decided to donate 22,000 books to under-resourced schools mainly in the regions of Iowa and Indiana.

Caitlin Clark beamed with pride as she announced the initiative, reflecting on how reading and education played a transformative role in her own life. “Reading and education have always been hugely important in my life. I remember picking out the books from the Scholastic flyer and how empowering that was for me as a child, and how motivated I was to read. I want to help kids have the same experience, to develop their reading skills and open their imaginations to dream big. I am thrilled that my foundation will support reading as Literacy Champions by collaborating with Scholastic and the United States of Readers”

Indiana GM Amber Cox took to X to appreciate Clark’s gesture while wishing her a happy birthday. “Incredible player, even better person. HBD, CC!”

Caitlin Clark’s initiative highlights her unwavering commitment to empowering youth through education. According to Scholastic’s latest Kids & Family Reading Report, the percentage of kids aged 6 to 17 who read almost daily has taken a dip—from 37% in 2010 to just 28% in 2022.

Meanwhile, the National Literacy Institute’s 2022-23 stats show that about 40% of U.S. students struggle to read at a basic level. Here’s the thing: kids who read a lot tend to have role models who read. Usually, that’s parents, but sometimes it’s their favorite sports stars stepping up to inspire them. And considering just how popular CC is with young girls and boys, her efforts to encourage reading could truly bring about positive changes.

That said, this isn’t the first time Caitlin Clark has made headlines for her off-court philanthropy. Time and again, she has shown an extraordinary ability to balance her personal life with impactful efforts that uplift her community. Let’s look into how the rising star is using her platform to create lasting change!

Caitlin Clark, the philanthropist

Known for her jaw-dropping skills and unrelenting drive, Clark is proving her greatness goes far beyond the game! The Caitlin Clark Foundation, founded by the basketball star herself, is a testament to her passion for empowering youth and strengthening communities. Dedicated to education, nutrition, and sports, the foundation has spearheaded impactful initiatives aimed at transforming young lives.

Recently, her efforts received a significant boost when Gainbridge’s Parity Week program donated $22,000 to support the foundation’s mission. Gainbridge, the naming partner of the Indiana Fever stadium, has been known to award grants to organizations that empower women in sports and education. This generous contribution underscores the growing recognition of Caitlin’s off-court impact and will further fuel her foundation’s work to inspire, educate, and uplift the next generation.

Her foundation’s impactful work, bolstered by generous support from partners like Gainbridge, is a testament to her dedication to creating meaningful change. And what’s special about Caitlin’s Scholastic initiative is that while they frequently partner with NFL players to champion the cause, this is the first they have joined hands with a WNBA star.

With Caitlin Clark, it felt organic. Why? Simply because education is one of the three key pillars of her foundation with particular significance on “strong reading skills”.

Be it on or off the court, Caitlin clearly continues to inspire, proving she’s a true champion in every sense of the word!