Caitlin Clark, the WNBA superstar and West Des Moines native, has become a household name not only for her record-breaking basketball career but also for her profound impact on her hometown. Through the Caitlin Clark Foundation, established in 2023, Clark has channeled her success into uplifting youth and communities in Des Moines, Iowa, with a mission centered on education, nutrition, and sport. As of May 2025, her foundation’s initiatives, including the recent unveiling of the Caitlin Clark Foundation Community Court at Weeks Middle School, demonstrate her commitment to giving back, cementing her legacy as a hometown hero.
Born on January 22, 2002, Clark grew up in West Des Moines, attending Dowling Catholic High School, where her athletic prowess first shone. Her family, including parents Brent and Anne Nizzi-Clark and brothers Blake and Colin, fostered a competitive spirit that propelled her to become the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer. This foundation of family support and local pride drives her off-court efforts. The Caitlin Clark Foundation, rooted in the belief that education, nutrition, and sports are pillars of success, has partnered with local organizations to address these areas. In January 2025, the foundation donated 22,000 books to under-resourced schools in Iowa and Indiana, celebrating Clark’s 23rd birthday and her jersey number. This initiative, in collaboration with Scholastic’s United States of Readers program, reflects her dedication to literacy, a cornerstone of her educational outreach.
The Community Courts Initiative, launched in March 2025 with Musco Lighting and Des Moines Public Schools, is a landmark project. On May 14, 2025, Weeks Middle School unveiled the first of four multipurpose recreation courts, equipped with basketball hoops, soccer goals, lighting, and benches, costing over $500,000. Clark, unable to attend due to Indiana Fever practice, shared the news via Instagram, expressing pride in enhancing recreational opportunities for Des Moines youth. These courts, designed for sports like basketball, soccer, and futsal, aim to foster physical activity and community engagement, aligning with Clark’s belief in sports as a platform for life skills.
Clark’s philanthropy extends to nutrition, addressing food insecurity in the Midwest. In May 2025, her foundation, partnered with Hy-Vee, donated $300,802 to Feeding America at the Food Bank of Iowa, funding approximately three million meals. Previous efforts include raising over $100,000 for the Coralville Community Food Pantry and a $22,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa in 2023. These contributions highlight Clark’s understanding of nutrition’s role in enabling academic and athletic success.
As Clark prepares for her second WNBA season with the Indiana Fever, her off-court impact rivals her on-court achievements. The “Caitlin Clark Effect” has boosted WNBA attendance by 48% in 2024, but her foundation’s work ensures her influence endures in Des Moines. From inspiring young athletes to supporting education and nutrition, Clark’s legacy is transforming her community, one court, book, and meal at a time.
