Fans loved Caitlin Clark even when she was in college, and her popularity skyrocketed once she made it to the WNBA. From breaking WNBA viewership records to filling stadiums, Clark has built one of the league’s biggest fanbases within three seasons, and she gives back to those loyal fans through the Caitlin Clark Foundation. So when one of the Fever and CC’s biggest fans passed away, the WNBA guard quietly donated to honor her memory.
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The Fever guard made a $2,000 donation to a fundraiser in memory of Jessica Schoffel. X account Clark Report explained the situation in a post on the website.
The fundraiser started on GoFundMe by her father, Rob Schoffel, is collecting money in order to provide Buddy Benches to the Trumansburg Playground and books for classrooms in the locality in her memory.
According to reports, Schoffel (October 8, 1981 – July 17, 2026), who went by @FeverBandwagon on X, was an avid fan of Clark and an active member of her fan community on the website. She had been an elementary school teacher, having grown up in Trumansburg, New York. The fundraiser added that she had even helped in the construction of the original Trumansburg Community Playground when she was in kindergarten.
“A buddy bench is designed to help kids combat isolation and bullying, encourages students to practice empathy and to invite their peers to join in play, goals which were always a priority in Jessica’s classroom. We will also donate children’s books about the concept of buddy benches for teachers to use in their classrooms,” the fundraiser page read.
In fact, she was so well known in the WNBA community that Fever player Lexi Hull’s mother wrote about Jessica Schoffel after learning of her passing.
“I am so sad to hear this! She has reached out to me many times in support of Lexie/team. What a positive & caring person in this world of negativity. I will miss her uplifting messages after games. Such a genuine fan. You will be missed by many Jess! 💗,” wrote on X.
Clark’s contribution to the cause will provide for the children of the area. The post also included a link to the GoFundMe page for the fundraiser, and Clark was among the top donors with $2,000.
While the Fever star didn’t announce her donation, eagle-eyed fans quickly spotted her name among the top contributors, and it immediately generated a lot of attention.
Fans Praise Caitlin Clark for Putting Community Above Basketball
Fans were quick to notice Caitlin Clark’s charitable efforts, even apart from her efforts with the Caitlin Clark Foundation. This time, apart from just fans, even reporters came online to show their appreciation.
Reporter Rosalina Lee was one of the many reactors, quoting the post with a simple message showing appreciation for Clark. “Wow 🥹❤️❤️,” her post read.
A more in-depth response came from Iowa Hawkeyes insider and 247Sports reporter David Eickholt, someone who’s familiar with Clark since her early days.
“Not surprising given her character but a classy move nevertheless. Always bigger than basketball. RIP,” he wrote.
Clark once again giving back to the community while honoring one of her biggest fans truly wasn’t surprising. The Indiana Fever guard has been helping the community that has given her so much ever since she established her foundation in October 2023.
Most recently Caitlin Clark skipped the 2026 WNBA All-Star Orange Carpet event. While many speculated on why she would skip the event, it turned out that the WNBA star had traveled to her hometown to attend an event organized by the Caitlin Clark Foundation.
“Clarification: Caitlin Clark was attending an event for the Caitlin Clark Foundation, which is why she missed the WNBA All-Star Weekend Orange Carpet,” USA Today reported following her absence from the July 23 event.
Fans also chimed in, with one highlighting the emotional significance of the gesture to Schoffel and her family, given the teacher’s fandom for Clark. “🥹🥹🥹 I know this meant the world to Jess,” their comment read.
Another supporter praised Clark’s move, showing the wider sentiment among fans of the star’s influence extending well beyond what she does on the basketball court. “Great Athlete and even better human! 🙏🏻.”
One comment clearly tied together the sentiment online with a simple but poignant set of words. “She’s a gem,” the fan’s comment read, summing up the wide set of responses from fans.
For fans, as well as Schoffel’s family, the $2,000 donation means considerably more than just the dollar value.