An Update from ECCHO

November 2026

ECCHO will be entering a temporary pause in cohort programming beginning January 2027, with the goal of resuming programming as early as January 2028, contingent on securing the funding needed to sustain our work. Should additional funding become available sooner, we will reassess this timeline and share updates.

This decision reflects the challenges of sustaining community-centered work in an increasingly difficult funding landscape. We remain deeply committed to ECCHO’s mission and to the community of alumni, partners, and supporters who have made this work possible.

Since its inception, ECCHO has been rooted in the belief that we can imagine and build new possibilities for our communities. While this pause means stepping back from programming for a period of time, it does not diminish the importance of what we have built together or our belief in what remains possible.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of the ECCHO community. We will share updates as they become available and look forward to the possibility of returning when the resources and conditions are in place to support our work.

Thank you for being part of ECCHO and for continuing to believe in the possibilities we can create together.

With love and gratitude,
Kadijha Marquardt-Davis, Director of ECCHO + ECCHO Team

What ECCHO has built

Since 2023, ECCHO has brought together Black and Brown women in Dane, Milwaukee, and Rock Counties to learn how local power works and to use it. In our 2023-2024 evaluation:

72% of participants attended a city council meeting, town hall, focus group, or community gathering as a direct result of ECCHO, compared with about 9% nationally
93% said, “Because of ECCHO, I feel more connected to my community”
86% said, “Because of ECCHO, I now know who represents me at the local, state, and federal level”
100% of alumni want to stay engaged

What continues in 2027

ECCHO remains a program of Embolden WI, and our work does not stop during this pause. In 2027 we will:

Continue the work of the ECCHO Sustainability Committee to shape a stronger, more sustainable model for ECCHO’s return
Stay connected with our alumni network across Dane, Milwaukee, and Rock Counties
Pursue the funding and partnerships needed to relaunch cohorts as early as resources allow

Help bring ECCHO back

ECCHO’s return depends on community support. If you are a funder, partner, or supporter interested in ECCHO’s future, we would love to talk.

Contact: Sara Finger, Executive Director, Embolden WI, sara@emboldenwi.org

Stay connected

Be the first to hear about ECCHO’s return, alumni gatherings, and ways to get involved.