KERRVILLE, Texas – The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised more than $100 million in the month since catastrophic flooding devastated Kerr County.
The foundation has allocated $10.8 million to frontline organizations, Austin Dickson, CEO of Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, said in a news conference on Monday. The foundation has awarded grants to 17 volunteer fire departments, including Center Point, Ingram and Hunt.
“These are fire departments that have not only answered the call, but have been staging grounds for so much of the response effort that is ongoing to this day,” he said.
Grants have also been allocated to crisis response groups that provide shelter, reunification, food and meals, as well as programs focused on school readiness and neighborhood stabilization.
Looking ahead, the foundation is shifting from emergency response to medium- and long-term recovery through four strategic funding priorities:
- Housing for flood victims: The housing fund will assist homeowners with repairs and rebuilding, help renters find new housing, and support families with down payments or securing mobile homes and RVs. "This effort is going to go beyond construction. It’s about restoring dignity, stability, and a place to call home,“ he said. ”Whether you own or rent or somewhere in between, We are committed to helping you rebuild what home looks like."
- Mental health and well-being: This fund will address the emotional toll of the flood and provide services in schools and community spaces.
- Economic recovery and quality of life: This fund will help local businesses and gathering places reopen. “This fund will support not just economic growth and development, but daily rituals that bring us joy and connection,” Dickson said. “We’re not just helping businesses reopen. We’re helping our community feel like home again."
- Future resilience and long-term needs fund: This will focus on infrastructure, environmental protection and preparation to ensure the region is better protected in the future.
Dickson said each fund will be guided by local advisory councils made up of community leaders, including builders, educators, therapists, business owners and pastors.
How to receive help
Residents, nonprofits, businesses and other people “impacted by the floods in some direct way” are encouraged to fill out a resource assessment on rebuildkerr.org.
“We will ultimately be matching those that have needs with those that can help,” he said. “And that’s the role of the community foundation and also the long-term recovery group for our community."
For more information or to get involved, visit rebuildkerr.org.
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