Logo for the Early Childhood Education of America featuring a white goose holding a red balloon, standing in front of a row of colorful stick-figure children holding hands.

Early Childhood Education & Amenities-Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund

Otter Tail County

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To comply with bank requirements and prevent delays in deposits, all checks must be issued to West Central Initiative, with “Early Childhood Education & Amenities Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund” in your check’s memo field.

Credit card payments will list West Central Initiative as the merchant on your bill but by using this donation page, your donation will be given to the Early Childhood Education & Amenities Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund.

Designating West Central Initiative as the payee ensures that the Internal Revenue Service recognizes your tax-deductible contribution.

Overview

Claire Ann Shover Nursery School opened in Fergus Falls, Minnesota in 1933 with a purpose for the “development of the individual child according to his personality and his needs – physical, mental and social.” The school was the first opportunity for formal early childhood education in the community for children as young as two, and hosted kindergarten classes for 23 years before being added to the offerings of Fergus Falls Public Schools. The school successfully operated until 2022, when the needs of the community outgrew what could be offered by the school. The purpose of the ECEA-Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund is to continue the school’s mission in providing support for programs and amenities that inspire physical, mental and social development of our children.

Grant Application

The ECEA-Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund is committed to continuing the legacy of the Claire Ann Shover Nursey School by providing support for programs and amenities that inspire physical, mental and social development of our children.

To request funding from the ECEA-Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund, please submit the application below by May 31, 2025.

Grant Criteria: 

  • Organization or initiative must be based in Fergus Falls, MN.
  • Preference to organizations/initiatives that serve and/or benefit children ages 0-7.
  • Organization or initiative must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, church, school, government entity or work with an eligible fiscal host.

Maximum Award Amount: $1,000
Awards will be announced by June 13, 2025.

If you have questions, please reach out to us at: claireannshoverlegacyfund@wcif.org

Thank you for your interest in the Early Childhood Education & Amenities-Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund grant.

This grant closed on May 31, 2025.

Please check back for future grant opportunities or contact us at claireannshoverlegacyfund@wcif.org.