ECEA Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund

04/08/2026

Thank you, West Central Initiative, for shining a spotlight on our fund! See what’s possible when community comes together - read the full feature here 👇

A piece of history continues to shape the future through the Early Childhood Education & Amenities – Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund.

05/13/2025

Please share! Grant applications are once again open!

Claire Ann Shover Nursery School operated in Fergus Falls for almost 90 years before closing in 2022. With the closure of the school, those of us involved in Shover’s operations created a legacy Fund to continue the school’s mission in providing programs and amenities that inspire physical, mental and social development of the children in our community. We are kicking off our next round of grant opportunities and accepting applications until May 31, 2025!

Maximum Award: $1,000

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

Donate or complete our grant application here:
https://wcif.org/fund/eca/

Questions? Email [email protected]

11/19/2024

ECEA - Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund was thrilled to present the first of five $1,000 grants to Otter Cove Children's Museum today at their Board meeting! Our grant benefits early childhood initiatives for the benefit of Fergus Falls’ youngest community members! Grant applications will open again in April 2025 - link in bio for more information or to donate!

10/11/2024

📣 OUR GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN 📣
Not eligible? Please share or consider donating!

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 October 31, 2024.

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 December 2, 2024. If you have questions, please reach out to us at: [email protected]

Apply here:

To provide support for programs and amenities that inspire physical, mental and social development for the children of Fergus Falls.

02/22/2024

From the Shover archives: Shover block print from the 50th Anniversary party program.

11/09/2023

It’s impossible to acknowledge early childhood amenities of Fergus Falls without immediately thinking of Otter Cove Children’s Museum. Otter Cove removes financial barriers to participation at the museum with Access to Play Memberships available to those who qualify. ECEA is a proud sponsor of Access to Play!

Learn more about Access to Play at: https://www.ottercoveff.org/access-to-play

11/07/2023

The legacy of Claire Ann Shover Nursery School will live on in the community through Early Childhood Education & Amenities - Claire Ann Shover Legacy Fund!

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 education in the community for children as young as two years old, and hosted kindergarten classes for 23 years before they were 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 the children of Fergus Falls.

Contribute to the legacy at: https://wcif.org/fund/eca/

10/17/2022

*ATTENTION FRIENDS & ALUMNI*

Claire Ann Shover has a limited quantity of our two existing history books available for purchase. $3 per copy of $5 for the pair. Checks can be made to Claire Ann Shover Nursery School. Proceeds will go to the Claire Ann Shover Nursery School fund and be forwarded to local nonprofits & fundraisers at the time of our liquidation.

Please email [email protected] to reserve your copies and to arrange pickup.

Note: a third history book is also in the works! Please email us if you are interested and we will contact you when we are ready to publish!

09/21/2022

Shover Friends,

The below press piece is being released to the Daily Journal for publication. It is truly with a heavy heart that we are having to share this news, having worked tirelessly over the last 10 months without a full-time teacher, and almost 3 years since the effects of the pandemic to bring Claire Ann Shover back to its full potential within the community. It became increasingly clear to us through these efforts that the environment has changed from where we once stood and thrived. We are confident that we can ensure Shover's legacy remains in the community through our chosen funding opportunities.

We thank all alumni, parents, children, businesses, and friends of the school for the support and memories. You have left a mark on Shover as much as Shover has left a mark on you.

Sincerely, the Shover Parent Board

05/13/2022

It's Graduation Day for these special friends!! You will do amazing things - we can't wait to see all that you do in Kindergarten! Congratulations!

03/16/2022

Today is the last day! Vote vote vote!

https://voting-app.kiwanis.org/ki-va/entry-details/1/1/22

Oh My - Look how close this is! Today is the last day to vote for the Otter Risers Kiwanis to win $$ for Fergus Falls. Vote. Vote. Vote. (Thank you)!

02/23/2022

No AM session tomorrow ❄️