A Donor’s Guide to Helping Those Impacted by Central Texas Flash Floods

The July 4th holiday weekend was marked by tragedy in Central Texas, as flash floods along the Guadalupe River swept across Kerr County. Powerful and fast-moving rainstorms began on the evening of July 3 and went on until the following morning, causing the river to rise 26 feet within just 45 minutes. According to AP News, the disaster has claimed the lives of at least 82 people to date, including 28 children.

As search and rescue efforts continue, you may be considering how to support those impacted by this disaster.

DAF donors are uniquely situated to provide rapid responses to communities most in need of support. For NPT donors looking to help, we are sharing a non-exhaustive list of nonprofits and local community foundations working to provide relief in the region:

Austin Pets Alive (EIN 74-2893360) is providing medical care and transporting animals from their neighboring Kerr County and other shelters in need of help. The organization has reported that over 50 pets have been transferred to their facilities and have coordinated a volunteer search and rescue group along the riverbank.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy (EIN 45-5257937) administers the CDP Disaster Recovery Fund, which allows donors to target contributions to meet specific philanthropic goals for any domestic disaster, helping communities rebuild stronger and prepare for future needs.

Communities Foundation of Texas (EIN 75-0964565) has launched the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund via the Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country. The fund will support local nonprofits, first responder agencies, and local governments involved in recovery efforts.

Convoy of Hope (EIN 68-0051386) has sent their team with relief supplies and will work directly with local partners and first responders to meet the urgent needs of evacuees and survivors.

Operation BBQ Relief (EIN 45-2442792) has a team of cooks, mobile pits, kitchens, and volunteers that have been deployed to the disaster-affected region. In addition to providing immediate care, the nonprofit also focuses on post-disaster response by teaching culinary skills and more as ongoing community support.

Texans on Mission (EIN 75-2873370) has chaplains on site and disaster relief teams on standby who are set to respond to various needs, including flood recovery, electrical support, shower/laundry services, command centers, and more.

Texas Children’s Hospital (EIN 74-1100555) has started a Hope for Central Texas Aid Fund which is aimed at directly financially supporting the flood victims, as well as supporting programming for children and families. The hospital is also coordinating a donation drive in Austin to assist those across Kerr County and Central Texas.

TEXSAR (EIN 84-1644603) is a search and rescue organization that deploys first responders to aid in specialized services including ground search, flood rescue, aerial search, K9 search and other disaster relief. The group is working in Kerr County and has provided an activation line to emergency officials in need of their services.

World Central Kitchen (EIN 27-3521132) has teams working alongside local Texas Hill Country chefs and community leaders to directly provide meals and water to first responders and impacted families.