Dylan DeClerck

Co-founder
Can Play

Age: 25

Mentor: I have been very lucky to receive the support of a multitude of different community professionals as I’ve grown our organization.

Why he’s a 40: He started his own nonprofit at the age of 16 and then merged it with another local organization in 2021 to co-found Can Play, which serves thousands of underserved youths and adults in the community. He serves as board president for CHPcommunity as the organization establishes a statewide community hub for health programs. He helps plan the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ National Philanthropy Day. He leads and provides youth activities and programming through Faith Lutheran Church.

What are your goals in your role at your company? 

My goals are to create an opportunity for underserved youth in our community to develop into productive community contributors, to expand our impact throughout the Midwest and eventually throughout the United States, and to develop a long-term sustainable organization.

What are your goals for your community involvement?

I’d like to see our community collaborate to address the health challenges our youth and families are struggling to overcome, so I have been helping to build a community hub for the expansion and sustainability of health programs across the state.

What's your biggest passion, and why? 

My passion lies in preparing youth in our community, specifically those from at-risk and low-socioeconomic backgrounds, for their future through accessible athletics, mentorship and community involvement, with a focus on character and leadership development.

What is it that drives you? 

The most rewarding aspect of my role is observing the development of our participants as they grow from athletes into community leaders, role models and coaches for the next generation.  I’ve been very fortunate to have the chance to mentor, attend graduation parties, provide college scholarships and hire past participants.

What are your future aspirations? As co-founder of a nonprofit, I’d like to launch and lead a program that selects the most promising new projects and organizations that could drastically improve our community, and invest in the idea, educate their founders and provide them with the community connections they need to run a successful nonprofit.

Three hobbies: Professional Ultimate Frisbee athlete; volunteer and lead youth programs at church; completed my first marathon last fall.

Fun fact: Dylan plays professional Ultimate Frisbee for the Minnesota Wind Chill. During his career he has tried out for the USA national team and finished eighth at the national tournament.

ONE word: Gritty.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

I’d encourage our Central Iowa businesses, organizations and charitable foundations to consider making strategic, significant and multiyear investments in the charitable causes that align with the passions and priorities of their stakeholders.

Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you? 

Prior to serving as the co-founder and co-leader of Can Play, I founded an organization at the age of 16 called Opportunity on Deck, which provided sports-based development opportunities for thousands of youth in our community.