The funding will support grants and other assistance for business owners trying to stabilize operations, retain employees and reopen after the disaster.
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country announced a $10 million grant Tuesday to LiftFund, a San Antonio-based nonprofit, to help small businesses recover and get back on their feet from the July 4, 2025 flooding across Kerr County.
Foundation leaders say the new initiative will provide fast, flexible financial assistance to businesses dealing with physical damage, lost revenue, and delayed reopenings.
“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.”
The funding will support grants and other assistance for business owners trying to stabilize operations, retain employees and reopen after the disaster.
LiftFund CEO Amy Hereford said the organization plans to respond quickly to local needs.
“Every business we support is part of a larger community comeback,” Hereford said. “This funding allows us to meet businesses where they are and respond quickly with practical, people-first support.”
The Community Foundation said the new program builds on earlier recovery efforts. In the first two months after the flood, the foundation awarded $5 million to local organizations, including the Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce and the Comfort Area Foundation, helping more than 550 small businesses in Kerr County and Comfort.
Businesses that already received disaster funding may be eligible for additional assistance based on documented needs.
Local leaders say the support is critical, especially for rural and family-owned businesses.
“This is a lifeline for the businesses that make our towns run,” said Dr. Karen Taylor, executive director of the West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce.
Todd Bock, executive director of the Kerr Economic Development Corporation, said access to flexible capital can determine whether businesses survive long-term.
“When disasters disrupt cash flow, workforce stability and customer access, even strong businesses can struggle,” Bock said.
Since the flood, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised about $150 million to support long-term recovery efforts, including housing, mental health services and community resilience projects.
More information about recovery resources is available at rebuildkerr.org. Applications for assistance can be found on LiftFund’s website.
For more information, visit www.communityfoundation.net.