KERRVILLE, Texas – In just one week, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised more than $30 million for the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, the organization announced Friday.
The news came during a press conference at the Dallas Dougherty Memorial Pavilion in downtown Kerrville, where local leaders, donors and residents gathered to remember those lost and talk about the road ahead.
“The heartbreak we’ve experienced as a community is profound, but so is the response,” said Austin Dickson, chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. “In a matter of days, thousands of donors from across Texas and beyond have stepped up to say: we are with you. This is a moment of collective grief, but also of extraordinary love.”
Among the largest donors so far are H-E-B, which gave $2 million, and James Avery Artisan Jewelry, which contributed $500,000.
“The Butt Family, H-E-B, and the H.E. Butt Foundation have a deep connection to Kerrville and the Hill Country, where our company was founded. We are heartbroken by the tragic events that have devastated our communities,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B’s senior vice president of public affairs. “As the community embarks on the long road ahead, we support the Foundation’s critical efforts to help rebuild and recover. We encourage others to join us in offering hope, strength, and assistance to impacted families.”
Chris Avery, chairman of the board for James Avery, said the Hill Country has always been home for the company. “Like so many people facing unimaginable loss during this time, we are also grieving a beloved family member,” Avery said. “It’s been incredible seeing the dedication and selflessness of first responders and how people have shown up with donations, kind words, and support. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the Deep in the Heart of Texas charm and the outpouring of support from people all over the country and the world. It reminds us that even in the hardest moments, we’re not alone.”
The foundation also announced that $5 million in emergency grants is already being distributed to nonprofit organizations helping those affected. The grants are split evenly across four urgent areas: support for individuals and families, support for local businesses, support for first responders, and support for crisis response — with $1.25 million going to each category.
These grants are being sent out to vetted nonprofit partners across the Hill Country. The full list of organizations receiving grants is available at communityfoundation.net/kerr-county-flood-relief-grants.
Looking ahead, the foundation said it will form a Community Advisory Committee made up of local nonprofit leaders, residents and stakeholders to help guide long-term recovery efforts and make sure resources are distributed fairly.
“We know this is just the beginning,” Dickson said. “We’re grateful to say we’ve raised over $30 million in just one week—but the needs are tremendous, and continued support will be critical in the months ahead. Recovery will take months, if not years, but we are committed to walking every step of this journey with the communities we serve. We will listen, we will learn, and we will continue to act with compassion, urgency and accountability.”
For more information or to donate, visit communityfoundation.net.