The 2025 Army Emergency Relief kickoff campaign is here

By Sean J. Ryan, Director of Communications & Marketing, Army Emergency Relief     May 2025

Army Emergency Relief’s annual campaign has been a tradition vital to our Army community since 1942, supporting Soldiers, Retired Soldiers and Army families each year. In 2024 alone, AER provided assistance to over 34,000 Soldiers and Families, distributing over $21 million in grants and over $45 million in zero-interest loans. 

The mission of AER — the U.S. Army’s official nonprofit — is to help alleviate financial stress while promoting economic stability, allowing Soldiers to remain focused on their mission. The 2025 AER Annual Campaign kicked off March 1 and runs through June 14, culminating with the Army’s 250th birthday.

This year’s campaign goal, in honor of this historic milestone, is to get 25% of our active-duty force to donate. Funds raised during the campaign are critical to the success of the program because AER receives no federal funding and relies on contributions from active-duty and Retired Soldiers, Army families, corporations and generous Americans. Maintaining and increasing this financial support ensures AER can keep providing vital assistance to those who selflessly protect our interests and ideals around the world.

Campaign kickoff events are occurring across Army installations, and include bowling tournaments, trivia contests, fun runs and modeling fairs. They promote interest in the program that gives 83 cents of every dollar back to Soldiers. Tony Grinston, AER CEO and 16th Sergeant Major of the Army, is attending many of the campaign kickoffs.

Grinston has continued to update policies and procedures to better serve the force since taking over AER in January 2024. One of the biggest changes in 2025 is emergency travel. Before this year, those requesting emergency travel received half of their request as a grant and half as a zero-interest loan. Now, all airfare is 100% grants with Soldiers having access to up to $2,000 for domestic travel and up to $4,000 internationally for emergency situations. 

“We updated this policy because the last thing a Soldier should have to think about when needing to get home is the cost of a plane ticket,” Grinston said.

AER has five areas of support that address the biggest needs of our force:

  1. Basic needs and housing: housing assistance, food insecurity and emergency car repair.
  2. Care during a crisis: disaster response, domestic violence, funeral expenses and Wounded Warriors.
  3. Health and wellness area: medical co-pays not covered by TRICARE, cranial helmets, dental care for dependents and special-needs equipment.
  4. Workforce development: spouse re-licensing, re-certification fees, and Career Skills Program support.
  5. Family support: emergency travel, childcare, immigration, visa and passport fees and scholarships

AER recognizes all cases are unique, so Soldiers are encouraged to talk to their local AER officers or go online to www.armyemergencyrelief.org for more information.

AER is a command program in place to help Soldiers when they need it the most. There are several ways you can help AER achieve its mission:

  • Donate securely online
  • Spread the word about the annual fundraising campaign with friends, family and colleagues
  • Participate in local campaign events at your installations.

Remember: every donation — no matter the amount — enables AER to support the Army community. Together, we can make a difference.

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