A Letter to Our Community

As we begin a new year, I have been reflecting on what this moment demands of organizations like ours and of each of us.

Across education, workforce development, health, and community wellbeing, the pressures are real and immediate. Our systems are under strain. Funding and investing landscapes have shifted dramatically. And communities are being asked to adapt with less margin for error than ever before.

At the same time, global instability, economic uncertainty, and rapid technological change are reshaping the conditions in which this work must happen.

In moments like this, our leadership and vision are not about doing more. They are about choosing what matters most, and moving it forward with focus and care.

At EDC, that clarity comes from a conviction that has guided our work for more than 65 years: progress happens when solutions are grounded in evidence, shaped with communities, and built to last. That belief matters now more than ever.

In the year ahead, we are focused on moving what matters in tangible, practical ways across our transformation areas of Learn, Work, and Be Well. These areas are deeply interconnected and form the foundation people rely on to build opportunity, resilience, and long-term stability.

This means helping education systems respond thoughtfully to rapid shifts, including the evolving role of technology and AI. It means strengthening pathways to meaningful work as economies and labor markets change from external and emerging pressures. And it means reinforcing the health and wellbeing systems families and communities depend on at critical moments.

Across all of this, one principle remains constant: the most effective solutions are developed with communities, not for them.

The challenges and uncertainty we all face ahead are real. But so is the opportunity to act with intention and collaboration.

In 2026, we must move what matters. We hope you’ll join us.

Moving What Matters: In Action

LEARN | Strengthening Science Learning

Across the United States and worldwide, we support GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment), an innovative program funded by NASA that gives people of all ages the opportunity to learn science, collect data, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth. To date, the program has reached over 50,000 educators, 900,000 students, and 300,000 citizen scientists.

WORK | Opening STEAM Career Pathways

We are partnering with the Inter-American Development Bank in Belize to expand access to STEAM education and careers for girls. Working with 1,000 primary and secondary school–aged girls across 23 schools, and alongside local partners, this effort combines hands-on experiences, mentorship, and career exploration to help young people see themselves in future STEAM pathways and pursue them with confidence.

BE WELL | Supporting Informed Mental Health Care

We partnered with the National Center for PTSD and Urban Emu to redesign and develop the PTSD Treatment Decision Aid, a tool that helps individuals screened for or diagnosed with PTSD better understand treatment options and find care that aligns with their needs. This work supports Veterans and others navigating PTSD with clearer information and greater agency in their care decisions.