ECHO Fund Grants
The Early Childhood Opportunity (ECHO) Fund is an innovative grant program that seeks to increase access to high-quality early care and education for Louisiana children, birth through age four, by directly funding childcare programs and the nonprofits that serve them.
Since 2018, the Early Childhood Opportunity (ECHO) Fund has enhanced early childhood education by providing over 2,300 grants totaling more than $ 13 million. Our ongoing commitment is to increase access, foster ingenuity, and elevate the quality of early learning in the region.
We are excited to announce the launch of the 2025 ECAC Professional Development & Travel ECHO Fund Grant! This opportunity provides grant funding to four eligible ECAC programs in Orleans Parish to support the 2025–2026 cohort of early childhood educators.
Grant Purpose
To strengthen ECAC program quality and educator access by funding professional development registration fees and travel expenses. The grant supports equitable access to high-quality training opportunities and helps educators complete their ECAC credential.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Be one of the four eligible ECAC programs: Delgado Community College, Career Training Group, Elite Teachers Institute, or C3 Lab School.
- Serve the 2025–2026 ECAC cohort in Orleans Parish.
- Be in good standing with Agenda for Children, LDOE, and licensing.
Allowable Uses
Funds must be used for professional development and travel directly tied to ECAC credential attainment. Eligible costs include:
- Travel Costs: airfare, mileage reimbursement, ground transport, lodging, meals/per diem (per GSA rates)
- Registration Fees: conferences, trainings, or credential-related events
- Program Operations: travel coordination/booking fees (if directly tied to ECAC PD travel)
- Data & Reporting: participation tracking, surveys, and required mid-year and close-out reporting
Unallowable costs include personal travel, entertainment, alcohol, fines, or expenses unrelated to ECAC professional development.
Timeline
- Applications Open: September 5, 2025
- Deadline to Apply: September 16, 2025 (5 PM)
- Awards Announced: Late September 2025
- Spending Period: September 2025 – May 2026
- Mid-Year Report Due: January 15, 2026
- Final Close-Out Report Due: June 15, 2026
How to Apply
Submit applications through the Foundant Grant Management System. Only invited programs are eligible. Applications must be complete to be considered. Requests for Information (RFIs) must be answered within 48 hours.
Information & Support
Visit the dedicated webpage for this grant cycle.
📧 echofund@agendaforchildren.org
📞 (504) 884-2635 | Dr. Cherie Haydel Goins “Dr. G”
Don’t miss this chance to invest in your program’s educators. Applications are open now and close September 16 at 5 PM.
With regards,
Your ECHO Fund Grant Team
Applicant Resources
Here is a PDF of the Application – for review purposes only.
Before you apply, gather:
📌 A detailed budget listing proposed expenditures totaling $60,000
📌 IRS Form W-9 Download, complete and upload with application (if first time applicant).
📌 Agenda’s Direct Deposit Form Download, complete and upload with application (if first time applicant).
🔐 Log in to create or update your Foundant account
Here’s a pdf of the full application for preview purposes only.
3 Step Streamlined grant process
1. Eligibility Quiz: Before you can apply for funding, please log in to the Foundant Grant Management System and answer a few questions to confirm that your organization is eligible. To be eligible for the 2025 ECAC PROGRAM SUPPORT ECHO FUND GRANT, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria.
2. Application: Once eligibility is confirmed, applicants receive a notice that they have been granted access to the application. Applicants complete their application, agree to grant assurances, and provide a W-9 and Direct Deposit form.
3. Grant Reports: At mid-year and at the end of the grant cycle (typically 30-60 days) grantees will be required to submit a report where they document grant related expenditures and share the impact of the grant.
our grant management system.
Questions?
Contact the ECHO Grant Team at echofund@agendaforchildren.org. Support is available during our regularly scheduled hours of operation (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM).