Army Emergency Relief is the Army's own nonprofit financial assistance organization charged with relieving financial distress on the force. AER is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1942 by Secretary of War Henry Stimson and Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshall. AER provides zero-interest loans and grants to help Soldiers and their Families with immediate financial needs like vehicle repairs, rent, utilities and emergency travel. AER also provides emergency funds to surviving dependents, grants for special-needs medical equipment and scholarships to spouses and children of active and retired Soldiers. Since 1942, AER has assisted more than 4 million Soldiers and Family members with more than $2 billion. Ninety cents of every dollar donated goes right back to Soldiers, which is among the highest rate of return of any nonprofit in the United States. AER earned a 4 out of 4-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Guidestar Platinum Seal of Transparency.