Denison, Texas — A year after devastating floods impacted the Texas Hill Country, the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country reports it has allocated approximately $82 million in recovery assistance to those affected. The nonprofit, established in 1982 and based in Kerrville, initiated its relief fund on July 4, 2025, the same day the Guadalupe River overflowed.
Overall donations exceeded $150 million, marking it as one of the most significant privately organized disaster recovery initiatives in Texas history.
Austin Dickson, the foundation's CEO, who personally experienced loss during the flooding, noted that the anniversary evokes both sorrow and a sense of hope. The organization acted swiftly to provide emergency aid, housing repairs, and mental health services. Within 45 days post-disaster, $15 million was allocated to over 50 local nonprofits that offered direct financial support and crisis intervention.
As immediate needs were met, focus shifted to long-term recovery, with about one-third of the grants dedicated to housing assistance. Currently, around 130 families have returned to their repaired homes, and 98 households are in the process of moving into permanent residences.
In response to a January assessment indicating that surviving adults and children faced significantly higher risks of post-traumatic stress, the foundation also financed free access to licensed therapists through local mental health centers. Additionally, $10 million has been earmarked for a readiness and resilience fund aimed at enhancing regional disaster preparedness.
Although Sherman is located in the North Texas corridor, far from the flood-affected areas, the impact of the disaster resonated throughout the state as donations poured in from across Texas. The recovery efforts persist, with nearly half of the total funds still available, as rebuilding communities after such a disaster is a gradual process.
