Community Foundation announces $18 million in immediate flood recovery commitments

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced $18 million in immediate flood recovery commitments Wednesday at a press conference held at Gibson’s Discount Center, marking what officials described as a strategic pivot from emergency response toward structured, long-term recovery.

The event brought together Community Foundation CEO Austin Dickson, Gibson’s General Manager Doug Hetzler, Kerr Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Todd Bock, Hill Country MHDD CEO Todd Citrone, and Catholic Charities of San Antonio CEO Ada Saenz.

Officials framed the moment as addressing what Dickson called a “double trauma” — the historic 2025 flood, followed by renewed devastation on July 16, 2026, just over a year later. For survivors, Dickson said, the second flood “felt like reliving the worst day of their lives all over again.” He offered what he called “the promise that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.”

Officials pointed to one concrete example of how investment since 2025 paid off this year: swiftwater rescue equipment granted to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Department following the 2025 flood was deployed immediately on July 16, helping save lives that might otherwise have been lost.

How the $18 million breaks down

Long-Term Housing Recovery — $11.3 million. The Foundation committed an initial $11.3 million toward permanent rebuilding and safe habitability in Kerr County, with additional supplemental funding for the Uvalde region expected soon. Officials described housing as the most expensive and complex phase of recovery, requiring professional case managers from the Long-Term Recovery Group to walk alongside families, prevent “recovery fatigue,” and avoid duplicating benefits.

Dickson was direct about the Foundation’s commitment to both years’ survivors simultaneously: “Every housing commitment will continue,” he said. “We are not choosing between last year’s survivors and this year’s survivors. We stand with both.”

Emergency Small Business Support — $5 million. The Foundation granted $5 million to LiftFund to distribute emergency cash grants — not loans — to flood-affected Kerr County businesses, intended to help owners stabilize operations, replace damaged inventory, repair facilities, and preserve payroll and local jobs. Officials said the choice of grants over loans was deliberate, to avoid forcing business owners to take on debt during a period of zero revenue.

Hetzler, whose store took four to six inches of floodwater despite being largely spared in 2025, underscored the urgency: “Small businesses like ours don’t have the luxury of pushing pause,” he said. “My guys need to earn a paycheck.” Dickson connected the stakes directly to the wider community: “When small businesses recover, families also recover” — since stores like Gibson’s also supply the material families need to rebuild their own homes.

Emergency Financial Assistance for Households — $1.7 million. The Foundation distributed initial grants to four regional nonprofit partners, each serving as the tactical lead for a specific part of the region:

• Catholic Charities of San Antonio — Uvalde and Real counties
• Hill Country Family Services — Kendall County and the Boerne corridor
• Hill Country Community Needs Council — the northern and eastern corridors, including Fredericksburg
• Light on the Hill — localized support within Kerrville

Saenz reported that Catholic Charities deployed to Uvalde the day of the flood and has already provided emergency supplies, mobile showers and laundry services to more than 528 families — roughly 1,450 individuals — across Uvalde and Real counties. The Foundation has also conducted “last-mile” outreach at locations including the Doyle Community Center in Kerrville to reach vulnerable populations who might otherwise be overlooked.

A “one-stop shop” built on a year of infrastructure

Speakers emphasized the region isn’t starting from scratch. Kerr Together’s Long-Term Recovery Group has centralized services at the Disaster Relief Center, 98 Coronado Dr. in Kerrville, giving survivors of both floods access to staff, counselors and volunteer coordination in one place.

Bock described the effect of that centralization directly: “To come and see all survivors together in a room, knowing that they’re not alone, is healing.” He also noted the existing infrastructure allowed the region to complete iSTAT damage assessment forms at a “record pace” — a meaningful detail, since reaching the necessary damage-assessment thresholds is the primary catalyst for securing a Major Disaster Declaration, the designation that unlocks federal and state aid.

Survivors are urged to complete a comprehensive needs assessment at rebuildtexashillcountry.org (also available by QR code) and file iSTAT forms so the Foundation and case managers can identify unmet needs.

Mental health support remains a priority

Citrone said the psychological weight of a disaster often settles in only after the physical debris is cleared and volunteers leave. “What you are feeling is normal,” he said. “It is a very human response.” The Foundation’s investment in a network of 13 local nonprofits, including a dedicated center at 819 Water St. in Kerrville, uses tools including “listening rooms” and play therapy aimed at reducing long-term PTSD risk for both first responders and children.

Since opening in July 2025, the Emotional Support Center has served more than 1,000 individuals — 750 adults and 250 children — across a 19-county area including Uvalde and Kendall counties, with about 25% of visitors referred for more intensive therapy. The center is free and open for walk-ins Monday through Friday during business hours.

“A promise to the community”

Dickson closed the event by framing the effort in terms broader than any single grant. “Recovery is a promise to the community,” he said. “A promise that we will keep showing up. A promise that we will finish what we started.”