Community Foundation awards $10 million grant for small business flood recovery

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced Tuesday a $10 million grant to LiftFund to help small businesses recover from the July 4, 2025, floods that devastated the region.

The grant to the San Antonio-based nonprofit will provide financial assistance to businesses dealing with physical damage, revenue loss and delayed reopenings following the disaster that killed 119 people.

The program offers grants up to $50,000 and zero-interest loans up to $500,000 to small businesses and nonprofits in Kerr County and Comfort that experienced flood damage or economic injury. Eligible businesses must have been in operation before July 1, 2025.

“Small businesses are essential to the Hill Country’s recovery,” said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation. “They create jobs, anchor our local economy, and provide the everyday services our communities rely on.”

Grant funds can be used for rebuilding expenses, replacement costs for lost or damaged equipment and general business operating expenses. The zero-interest loans have terms ranging from 12 to 180 months with waived origination fees.

Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted, according to LiftFund’s website.

The initiative builds on $5 million the foundation awarded in the first two months after the flood to the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce, Comfort Area Foundation and LiftFund. Those grants provided emergency assistance to more than 550 small businesses.

Businesses that previously received disaster funding may qualify for additional assistance based on documented needs.

Amy Hereford, CEO of LiftFund, said the funding will allow the organization to respond quickly to business needs.

“By helping owners stabilize operations, retain employees and bridge short-term gaps, we can support recovery that is fair, effective and rooted in the real needs of this community,” Hereford said.

The Community Foundation has raised $150 million in the six months since the flood to support long-term recovery efforts including housing, mental health services and community resilience programs.

Dr. Karen Taylor, executive director of the West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce, said the flexible design of the support program addresses the challenges facing rural and family-owned businesses.

“Many rural and family-owned businesses operate with limited margins, and disasters like this hit them especially hard,” Taylor said.

Todd Bock, executive director of the Kerr Economic Development Corp., said access to flexible capital is critical for disaster recovery.

“When disasters disrupt cash flow, workforce stability, and customer access, even strong businesses can struggle,” Bock said.

LiftFund is offering in-person assistance Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 98 Coronado Drive in Kerrville. Information sessions are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Jan. 26, both online.

Businesses can apply for grants at liftfundforms.cloud.bmisw.com or call 800-923-9551. Loan applications are available at liftfund.com or by calling 888-215-2373. More information about recovery resources is available at rebuildkerr.org.