The CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Austin Dickson, announced Thursday morning, July 30, that the nonprofit organization would offer nearly $18 million in grants and support for the Texas Hill Country.
Dickson noted at a press conference held outside Gibson’s in Kerrville that the two historic floods in 2025 and 2026 had “changed everything in the Hill Country.” He also said that the most recent flood came just as the community was beginning to heal.
The CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, Austin Dickson, announced Thursday morning, July 30, that the nonprofit organization would offer nearly $18 million in grants and support for the Texas Hill Country.
Dickson noted at a press conference held outside Gibson’s in Kerrville that the two historic floods in 2025 and 2026 had “changed everything in the Hill Country.” He also said that the most recent flood came just as the community was beginning to heal.
Gonzalez said that, while funding for business grants has improved slightly, they are not seeing anywhere near the donations that they did last year.
“That’s why this partnership with the Community Foundation is so important for us,” he said. “We’re here to help, and we want to be able to do as much as we can for these small businesses that were affected.”
According to Dickson, 97% of the funding for grants and assistance came from donations made in 2025 for rebuilding and recovery after the July 4 flood.
“After this latest disaster, the Community Foundation reached out to many of these (July 4, 2025) donors and asked if they would consider expanding the use of their gift,” Dickson said. “They didn’t have to say yes. But many did.”
Doug Hetzler, manager of Gibson’s, said that after the store was flooded, he and his employees greatly appreciated the help.
“Small businesses like ours don’t have the luxury of pushing pause,” Hetzler told the crowd at the press conference. “Families are counting on us every day. With help from these guys (the Community Foundation), we are going to be able to get back on the road. This announcement is really significant for us.”
Another small business owner came to the conference not to ask for support but to raise money for others.
Luis Baquero, chef and owner of Off Main Brewing Company, accompanied his daughter, Kamila, as she sold lemonade to press conference attendees. All the money from the lemonade sales went to support Kerrville small businesses.
“I’m from an island that gets hit by hurricanes all the time,” Baquero, who is a native of Puerto Rico, said. “I know this is what you do when that happens. You get out there, and you help your neighbors. The community comes together.”
While Baquero said he was lucky to escape major damage during the July 16 flood, he’s encouraging other small businesses to take advantage of the grants offered by The Community Foundation through partners like LiftFund.
“I’m telling everyone who needs it to apply for anything you can,” he said. “That’s why the money’s there.”
Other portions of the nearly $18 million from the Community Foundation will go to continued long-term recovery and mental health assistance, cleaning and rebuilding efforts and emergency financial aid for renters and homeowners.
Most of these funds will be distributed through Kerr Together, Kerrville’s long-term recovery partner.
“We’re the one-stop shop, if you will, for Kerrville recovery,” said Todd Bock, who represented Kerr Together at the conference. “We have over 200 volunteers and 16 working groups all connected to help our community. And we’re so grateful for partners like the Community Foundation that help make long-term recovery possible.”
All press conference speakers continued to encourage individuals with home or business damage due to the July 16 flood to fill out the iSTAT form at: https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/
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