The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country hosted a press conference Friday to announce the first round of grants from the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. The fund was established on July 4, 2025, in response to recent flooding in the area.
Austin Dickson, CEO of the foundation, opened the event by inviting participants to pray with him before beginning his remarks.
“I would first like to start by acknowledging the profound loss and grief felt across this community. It’s immense, there are no words,” Dickson said.
He explained that while the foundation typically provides grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students, “this is not normal time.”
In response to the disaster, the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund was created to raise money for the community. In just a few days, more than 100,000 individual donors contributed.
“People all over the world say, ‘we are with you today,’” Dickson said. “This is a moment of collective grief, but as someone who is part of a philanthropic response, I can tell you it’s also a moment of extraordinary love.”
The fund has received more than $30 million in donations. Dickson thanked major donors, including H-E-B, which donated $2 million and was founded in 1905 in Kerrville, and James Avery Artisan Jewelry, which contributed $500,000.
He also expressed gratitude to Broadway Bank for turning all of its branches across the state into donation centers, to the San Antonio Area Foundation for providing pro bono staff support, to the Austin Beauty Foundation for their partnership, and to the Community Foundation of Texas in Dallas for offering staff assistance.
“I would also like to thank the Community Foundation staff, its board of trustees and all of our volunteers who have answered the call and joined us in responding to the philanthropic response,” Dickson said.
He extended heartfelt thanks to first responders as well.
“I would also like to thank all of the first responders in our community, both local and who have traveled from very far to search for our missing children and search for our family members and keep us reunited and safe. This moment has certainly brought out the best in people,” he said.
Dickson announced an initial $5 million in grants distributed across four key areas of need, all supporting local organizations currently working on the ground. In addition:
- $1.25 million will be available as direct assistance to individuals and families — covering cash support, rent, utilities and other emergency needs, starting Friday, July 11.
- $1.25 million will be allocated to local businesses through no-interest loans and emergency grants to help them meet payroll and stabilize operations.
- $1.25 million will go directly to first responder agencies.
- $1.25 million will support broader crisis response efforts.
Schreiner University will receive $450,000 to continue operating as a 24-hour emergency response and dormitory center for first responders.
“This is only the beginning. This community, this region and this state is not ready for the power of philanthropy that is coming to this town. We are going to do so much good because we are from Texas, and Texans step up, and we handle it,” Dickson said. “These funds will be given to more than 20 nonprofits today.”
Next to speak was U.S. Congressman Chip Roy.
“Thank you to the entire community for showing up,” Roy said.
He recalled plans to spend the Fourth of July with his family at Louise Hays Park, a place where he once took his kids swimming, but instead spent the day helping classmates retrieve their daughters after evacuations.
“That’s who we are as Texas, and I want this to be a model for the entire country, a model for the world, of what it means when people of faith and people of conviction stand up to help their fellow neighbors, help their communities,” Roy said.
He praised the foundation’s swift action.
“The fact that in one week, $5 million has already been distributed and granted through this organization is a testament to the confidence and also the heart and the spirit of the Community Foundation and why it’s such a great organization and why it’s important the dollars continue to flow,” he said. “People are all focused on this right now, but this is going to be happening in two weeks, in a month, in six months, in a year. We need this to continue.”
Roy also thanked Robert Earl Keen, who will host a benefit concert on Aug. 28 at Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels, and others stepping up to help.The next speaker was Chris Avery, chairman of the board at James Avery Artisan Jewelry.
Avery acknowledged the profound loss the community is experiencing, including the death of a young family member, Renee, at Camp Mystic.
“Kerrville and the Hill Country have always been home to us. It’s where my dad and mom started this business, where our wonderful associates live and work and where our story began,” Avery said. “Our company roots run deep. Our people, our value, and our story are all tied to this community.”
He reflected on the family’s long-standing ties to Camp Mystic, saying his father began making charms 70 years ago for campers and counselors — sparking the company’s now-iconic charm line.
“Yet, along with all this tragedy of destruction, it’s been incredible seeing such an outpouring of love and passion and giving,” he said.
Avery praised the overwhelming support received by first responders. James Avery Artisan Jewelry is donating an additional $500,000 to various organizations, in addition to its previous contribution.
Dickson returned to the podium to announce a $700,000 grant to the Kerrville Chamber of Commerce Foundation for emergency cash grants to local small businesses.
Amy Herbert, executive director of LiftFund, explained how her organization will assist area businesses. LiftFund is the nation’s largest nonprofit small business lender and is based in San Antonio.
“Today is not just professional for me, it’s personal. My daughter went to Camp Waldemar, and my twin boys are classmates with girls that passed at Camp Mystic. Like many of you, my heart is heavy,” Herbert said.
She emphasized that small businesses are essential to a community’s identity and stability.
“Small businesses are more than storefronts. They’re the parents, coaches, taxpayers. They really are the backbone of every town,” she said.
Herbert cited national data showing that 40% of small businesses may permanently close if they do not receive funding within the first two weeks of a disaster, with another 25% closing within a year.
LiftFund has launched the Hill Country Disaster Recovery Fund, offering both grants and no-interest loans, made possible in part by a $550,000 gift from the Community Foundation.Major Phil Swyers of the Salvation Army spoke next. The organization, which runs the Kerrville Kroc Center, is receiving a grant to provide direct financial assistance to families.
They have deployed mobile feeding units and offered food, water, gift cards, cleanup help and more. Plans are underway to open a Disaster Assistance Center to provide case management and help with FEMA and long-term recovery.
“We plan to be here for up to two years or until the need has been taken care of,” Swyers said. “Our prayer is that the service provided will help to bring comfort and compassion to those that have suffered in our community unimaginable loss and grief so that each tomorrow may bring more hope than the day before.”
Dickson added that five volunteer fire departments in Kerr County will each receive $250,000 in unrestricted funds.
In addition, the Hunt Volunteer Fire Department will receive a $500,000 grant to provide cash assistance to individuals in the Hunt area and the region between Hunt and Ingram.
“Thank you,” Dickson said. “The magnitude, the sheer magnitude of the support that we’ve been getting in Hunt is just unbelievable. You have to come see it to believe it.”
Animal welfare organizations Kerrville Pets Alive! and Freeman-Fritts Vet Clinic and Animal Shelter will each receive $150,000.
The foundation will continue to issue relief in phases. A community advisory committee of 12-15 local leaders will be assembled to guide future decisions on how best to allocate the funds.
“This is not the Community Foundation’s work. This is a collective effort of our community, of the state of Texas, of the United States and frankly the world. People from all corners of the Earth,” Dickson said. “Everyone has become a helper, and everyone has become a hero.”
Read full article here: Online: https://dailytimes.com/2025flood/the-community-foundation-of-the-texas-hill-country-announces-first-round-of-flood-relief-grants/article_bbe024a1-67a4-4965-a88a-07ceb11b923f.html
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