LiftFund: $50,000 flood grant for small businesses closes Aug. 20 — apply now
The challenge facing this year’s relief effort is disaster fatigue. The 2026 flood received far less national attention than 2025, and incoming relief funding is dramatically lower — even as damage levels are severe.
More than 100 small businesses sustained damage in the July 16 flood. The hit was concentrated along Main, Earl Garrett, and Water Streets downtown, and along Goat Creek, Camp Meeting Creek, and Town Creek corridors.
LiftFund has $50,000 to distribute to those businesses. The application window closes Thursday, Aug. 20.
“Getting these funds out as quickly as we are able is key to these businesses because they don’t have a month-to-month runway to wait,” said Adrian Gonzalez, who appeared Monday on Lead Live alongside colleague Cesar Garza.
The emergency physical damage grant — administered by LiftFund on behalf of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country — is available to small businesses with documented flood damage. Because applications are already over-subscribed, anyone eligible must submit immediately. In-person processing is available Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the disaster recovery hub at 98 Coronado Drive.
The challenge facing this year’s relief effort is disaster fatigue. The 2026 flood received far less national attention than 2025, and incoming relief funding is dramatically lower — even as damage levels are severe.
LiftFund’s permanent mission extends beyond disaster response. The nonprofit provides microloans and capital to startup and growing small businesses that fall outside conventional bank lending criteria, along with free financial literacy training including QuickBooks instruction and budget planning.
“It’s not just about the money for us,” Garza said. “It’s about seeing people survive, seeing people succeed, and seeing people be optimistic again.”
URGENT: $50,000 grant deadline is Aug. 20. Apply in person at 98 Coronado Drive, Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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