The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised more than $100 million in 30 days through its Kerr County Flood Relief Fund to support recovery efforts following devastating floods that struck the region on July 4, 2025.
Austin Dickson, the foundation’s CEO, announced the milestone during a press conference Monday, exactly one month after the tragic flooding. Speaking with evident emotion about the community’s response, Dickson said neighbors have shown extraordinary love and support for one another during the crisis.
“In the past few days and few weeks, everything has been so busy for so many people as we adapt to new circumstances, and one of the things I’ve seen personally is how much neighbors love each other and have been supporting each other in this community,” Dickson said.
The foundation has already distributed $10.8 million of the funds raised, providing direct financial assistance to families and flood victims. More than 125 small local businesses have received cash grants up to $10,000 to help make payroll, clean up and continue operations. The foundation also made grants to 17 volunteer fire departments, including CenterPoint, Ingram and Hunt.
The organization now transitions from emergency crisis response to long-term recovery efforts through four strategic funding priorities. The top priority focuses on helping flood victims return home through a housing fund that will assist homeowners with repairs and rebuilding, help renters find new housing and provide down payment assistance for new homes.
Additional funds will address mental health and wellbeing, economic recovery and quality of life, and future resilience and long-term infrastructure needs. Four local advisory councils comprising community leaders, builders, educators, therapists, business owners and pastors will guide each fund’s decisions.
“Recovery doesn’t just stop with what we see before us today, we’re building for tomorrow and the years ahead,” Dickson said. “When the spotlight fades, when the headlines go away, the community foundation and this community will still be here, and we will have to meet those long-term needs.”
Critical Step for Flood Victims
The foundation has launched rebuildkerr.org, a website where flood victims must complete a needs assessment to receive assistance. Dickson emphasized this step as crucial for the recovery process.
“If there’s only one thing you take away, it’s that that needs assessment must be completed by everyone that was affected,” Dickson said. “We know there’s lots of forms that people have to fill out, but this is one that’s really important. It’s a way to directly communicate your needs to the community foundation and its partners.”
The foundation urges churches and neighborhoods to conduct block walks to ensure everyone impacted by flooding completes the assessment. The website also features a resource assessment for nonprofit organizations, businesses and civic groups that want to offer assistance with mental health needs, rebuilding efforts, down payment assistance or other expertise.
The foundation plans to match those with needs to organizations that can help through its partnership with the long-term recovery group.
“This is your opportunity to love on our neighbors, just like I mentioned at the beginning,” Dickson said. “There’s so much love and generosity and care going around right now. Engage with us. Help us share the road to recovery.”
“The immediate crisis may be over in these first 30 days, but the road ahead is very long, and the community foundation will walk that road every single day with our community as we work to rebuild and restore our home,” Dickson said.
For questions or interview requests, contact the foundation at communityfoundation@eprtexas.com.
Read full article here: https://www.hccommunityjournal.com/article_4616fc6e-f574-409e-978a-ec2e8c416e5a.html
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