Welcome to 2026! As I reflect on last year, one thing stands out: financial hardships are increasing – it’s less about if and more about when. Wildfires tore through California. Typhoons swept across the Pacific. A U.S. government shutdown rattled families. While 13 named storms hit the Atlantic and 27 hit the Pacific (and, thankfully, none made U.S. landfall) the real storms last year were financial ones. And your people felt them.
What We Saw
Last year resulted in a 30% increase in hardship applications. That number doesn’t surprise us. It confirms what we’ve known for some time; that financial fragility is growing. Recent Federal Reserve data shows that 4 out of 10 Americans would struggle to cover a $400 unexpected expense. What was manageable a year ago now pushes families to the edge. MetLife’s 2026 U.S. Employee Benefit Trends study backs this up — 83% of employees say rising living and medical costs are their top stressors, and 77% name economic uncertainty as a major concern. The support systems employees once had access to are disappearing. That’s not a temporary trend.
What We Delivered
As I stated in my letter last year, the application experience matters profoundly to us and improvements were our priority. We are very aware that, when someone is in crisis, every extra step and every delay compounds their stress. That’s why we’ve invested in making the experience as smooth and clear as possible.
Our progressive enhancements resulted in 91% percent of surveyed applicants saying they were satisfied with the application experience. I know we have more to do, but this early data is more than meaningful; it’s a trust bellwether. Our recent response to Winter Storm Fern confirmed we are focused on the things that matter, and I am confident you will see significantly improved timeliness, precision and care.
We also supported you with a range of refreshed resources including an overhauled Client Resource Center and a newly launched Applicant Resource Center. You can see the full picture in our 2025 Year in Relief report.
Looking Ahead
Feedback is one of our most valuable tools. Applicant and client surveys directly show us where there are gaps in our services and experiences, and those gaps drive our work every day.
In 2026, we’re focused on three things:
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Continued operational excellence, ensuring a superior experience for every grant applicant
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Enhanced delivery of global grantmaking: We’re expanding our native translations package from 12 to 20 languages later this summer. And refining how we handle documentation and validation requirements based on local context. Emergency Financial Relief should be delivered in ways that are culturally appropriate and make sense for the people receiving it. Strong stewardship and accountability don’t look the same in every country, and we’re building that understanding into every process.
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Clear and timely insights regarding your program, trends and opportunities. With your direct input, we are working to master the ways you engage with us, track activity and receive support. Our Strategy Labs have been invaluable, and you can expect more focus group opportunities throughout this year. Likewise, we look forward to another year of successful Regional Summits, which facilitate community building among you and other leaders with whom we proudly partner. These collective conversations aren’t just feedback; they shape our roadmap.
Your belief in corporate stewardship created this industry, and your intentional dedication sets a standard. As we celebrate 25 years of delivering cash grants to individuals, I am optimistic about the future and grateful for your trust. Together we’re building something rare and powering a new era of employee financial relief.
On behalf of everyone at E4E Relief, we are honored to partner with you as a community of visionaries to swiftly deliver critical financial resources to individuals around the globe.
Thank you for choosing us to help change the world for the better.
With gratitude,
Matt Pierce
CEO
E4E Relief
