“I want to help kids have the same experience”: How Caitlin Clark turned a childhood memory into a 22,000-book impact for under-resourced students | NBA News
Caitlin Clark has spent much of 2026 carrying the WNBA’s biggest spotlight. Yet one of her most meaningful plays happened away from the court. Back in Jan. 2025, the Caitlin Clark Foundation announced a partnership with Scholastic to provide 22,000 books to under-resourced schools in Iowa and Indiana.The story stands out because it did not begin with a sponsor, a campaign or a celebration. It began with a childhood memory that Clark still remembers clearly.
How Caitlin Clark turned a childhood memory into a literacy mission for under-resourced students
The books will go to students from pre-K through eighth grade through Scholastic’s national literacy program, United States of Readers. The partnership also marked the start of a longer collaboration focused on improving reading access for children in under-resourced communities.Clark explained the idea behind the initiative in a January 2025 press release from the Caitlin Clark Foundation.“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,” Clark said.That remark captures the real purpose of the project. Clark is not just sending books into schools. She is trying to recreate a moment that once made her feel curious, confident and excited to read.The effort also carries significant reach. Scholastic said that 65,000 children participate in the United States of Readers program nationwide. Judy Newman, Scholastic’s Chief Impact Officer, welcomed the partnership in the same January 2025 release.“Caitlin is a proven role model, and we are thrilled to work together with the Caitlin Clark Foundation to make reading more accessible to kids everywhere,” Newman said.The literacy initiative fits the foundation’s broader focus on education, nutrition and sports. Those three areas have appeared repeatedly in Clark’s community work. Back in 2025, The Daily Iowan also highlighted her support for the Coralville Community Food Pantry, where her efforts helped raise more than $100,000 for families facing food insecurity.What makes this story especially compelling is the connection between Clark’s Iowa roots and her growing WNBA influence. Since joining the Indiana Fever, she has become one of the league’s most visible athletes. Every interview, every game and every milestone draws attention, but she has continued to direct part of that attention toward projects that reach children long before they ever think about professional sports.The 22,000 books will not appear in a box score, and they will not become a viral highlight. Their impact will happen quietly in classrooms, libraries and homes. For some children, this may be the first time they get to choose a book that feels like it belongs to them. Caitlin Clark’s own memory started with a Scholastic flyer. Years later, that memory has grown into a literacy mission that now reaches thousands of students across Iowa and Indiana. That is what makes this more than a charitable gesture. It is a personal experience turned into a lasting opportunity for children who need it most..
