Welcome to RebuildKerr.org, the home of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country's flood recovery efforts. The Community Foundation raised funds from the public through its Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. Now in the middle of recovery efforts, the Fund's work is based here, at Rebuild Kerr, the name of a multi-year, coordinated, philanthropic flood recovery effort for our area.
Kerr County Receives Roadmap for Post-Flood Mental Health Recovery
KERRVILLE, TX—Today, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute released new findings from a Rapid Mental Health Needs Assessment examining the long-term mental health impacts of the July 4 flood in Kerr County. The Community Foundation also announced an additional $1 million dollar grant commitment to partner organizations, including Light on the Hill, Hunt ISD and Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers (MHDD).
Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country grants $10 million to LiftFund for small business recovery
KERRVILLE, TX—Today, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced a $10 million grant to LiftFund, a national nonprofit based in San Antonio, that will stabilize and grow small businesses impacted by the July 4, 2025 floods. The initiative is designed to provide fast, flexible financial assistance to businesses with physical damage and facing disruptions, revenue loss and delayed reopenings.
A Community Transformed by Courage, Generosity and Action
What followed became one of the swiftest and most unifying philanthropic responses in Texas history. Donors refused to wait and refused to let Kerr County face this alone.
- $55.9 million granted to date
- 85+ nonprofit partners funded
- 1,000+ families supported
- 500+ small businesses assisted
- 20+ first responder groups provided resources
Our strategy
Housing recovery
Mental Health
Community & Culture
Emergency Relief Grantmaking
In the earliest days of the July 4th disaster, the Community Foundation deployed philanthropic dollars to meet urgent needs. Within one week, the Foundation granted $5 million to nonprofit organizations providing direct assistance across five critical areas: financial support for individuals, financial support for small businesses, aid for first responders, crisis assistance for sheltering and feeding efforts, and essential infrastructure support for water systems, school districts, and community meeting spaces. In total, the Foundation has deployed $14.7 million in emergency stabilization grants across these critical areas
Through nonprofit partners, this funding helped nearly 1,000 households, covering urgent needs such as groceries, fuel, utilities, rent, funeral expenses, car replacement, cleaning supplies, and other essential costs in the aftermath of the flood. Nonprofit partners also supported over 550 small businesses, enabling employers to maintain payroll, replace damaged equipment, and dry out or stabilize their facilities during the most critical period of disruption.
FEMA emphasizes that early decisions made in the response phase of a disaster have a direct impact on the speed and success of long-term recovery. Guided by this national best practice, the Foundation’s emergency grants ensured that help reached people and organizations precisely when it was needed most, bridging the gap between crisis and long-term rebuilding. The Community Foundation is deeply grateful to every nonprofit partners, their staff and volunteers, and the entire community for transforming these grants into great help for flood survivors.
With immediate relief achieved, the Community Foundation's Rebuild Kerr Initiative is directing funding across three additional priorities:
- Housing Recovery – repairing, rebuilding, and rehousing families with materials, labor, permitting, and temporary housing.
- Mental Health & Well-Being – expanding trauma-informed counseling for children, seniors, first responders, and displaced residents.
- Community & Culture – helping businesses and nonprofits reopen, while supporting cultural institutions, community centers, parks, and river areas.
Community Data
The Needs Assessment was launched on August 4, 2025, to understand what households impacted by the floods need most to recover. Community members shared information about housing damage, financial challenges, health needs, and other impacts. These results help guide how recovery resources are allocated and ensure assistance matches real needs.
Partner Spotlights
A few organizations already putting generosity into action include:
- LiftFund — emergency cash grants for flood‑impacted small businesses
- Kerrville Pets Alive! — pet sheltering, reunification and supplies for affected families
- The Salvation Army Kroc Center — direct assistance, meals and emergency supplies
- Mercy Chefs — prepared meals for survivors and first responders
- Ingram ISD — essential repairs to be ready for students and staff
- Hunt Volunteer Fire Department — To support general operations and greatest needs.
More partner stories will be shared as recovery continues.
Looking Ahead
- For updates, resources, and ways to stay involved, visit RebuildKerr.org and sign up for the newsletter
- Nonprofits are encouraged to complete the Nonprofit Capacity Assessment
- Flood survivors are encouraged to complete the Community Needs Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Transparency and Stewardship
We are committed to careful, timely grantmaking and regular updates on funds raised and disbursed. Donors and community members can review which nonprofits have been funded to date and how grants are being used.