Volusia County ECHO advisory committee raises grant caps, tightens nonprofit requirements for 2026 cycle

Summary

ECHO staff told the advisory committee the 2026 grant cycle will raise individual grant caps to $2.5 million, remove the "exceptional" grant category, add application questions to assess long-term maintenance, and require nonprofits to supply board minutes, bylaws and member lists. Staff outlined timelines and outreach plans for applicants.

Daniel Marsh, ECHO manager, told the advisory committee on April 10 that the county’s ECHO grant program will implement several policy and operational changes for the 2026 cycle aimed at improving accountability and applicant accessibility. “The grant cap has increased from 600,000 to 2,500,000, and we have eliminated the exceptional grant,” Marsh said, and staff will allow applicants to apply for grants up to $2,500,000 with a $5,000,000 cumulative cap per project.

Marsh said staff will now have the authority to approve budget modifications; previously, category shifts exceeding 20 percent had required committee consideration and county council review. He said the change is intended to allow minor reallocation within approved budgets without creating new appropriations: “We just move money between the categories. There’s no new money.”

To strengthen long-term outcomes, staff will keep the business-plan,…

Volusia County ECHO advisory committee raises grant caps, tightens nonprofit requirements for 2026 cycle

Summary

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