KERR COUNTY, Texas – The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced it had received more than $30 million in donations in response to last week’s deadly floods, which ripped through Kerr County.
The Kerr County Relief Fund was established on the morning of July 4, 2025.
The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is “dedicated to enhancing the quality of life across the Hill Country region by connecting charitable donors with community needs,” a news release said.
Founded in 1982, it is based in Kerrville and serves 10 counties.
Watch the full Friday morning press conference in the video player below.
During Friday’s press conference, Austin Dickson, the foundation’s CEO, said over 100,000 individual donors made gifts in a matter of days.
“We have heard from Kervillians, Texans, Americans and people all over the world say, ‘We are with you,’” Dickson said.
Some of those who donated to the fund include:
- H-E-B and James Avery, who donated $2 million and $500,000, respectively; both started their businesses in Kerrville
- Frost Bank, through its charitable foundation, donated $500,000
- Toyota and Lexus dealers nationwide donated a combined $600,000
Several area foundations, including San Antonio and Austin, offered pro bono staff support to assist the foundation with operational work going forward.
Where are some of the funds going?
Dickson outlined the foundation’s plans to disperse $5 million in initial grants across four areas of need to local organizations supporting recovery efforts.
- $1.25 million to direct support to individuals and families for cash and rent assistance and food costs
- $1.25 million to local businesses in no-interest loans and emergency cash grants
- $1.25 million to first responder agencies
- $1.25 million in crisis response
The foundation is giving Schreiner University in Kerrville a $450,000 grant to cover the university’s move to convert its entire campus into an emergency operations and dorm center for first responders, Dickson said.
“This is only the beginning,” Dickson said. “This community, this region and this state are not ready for the power of philanthropy that is coming to this town. We are going to do so much good.”
The grants are actively being distributed to vetted nonprofit partners serving communities affected by the Hill Country flooding.
As of Friday morning, in Kerr County alone, 96 people — 60 adults and 36 children — have died, and 161 more are missing.
The death toll across Texas has topped 100.
“The outpouring of love and support from all of the country, from particularly Texas, particularly here in Kerr County, has been extraordinary,” U.S. Rep. Chip Roy said before Friday’s news conference.
To see some of the grantees of the funding thus far, click here.
Dickson said another update on continued dispersal efforts would come later this month.
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