The Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) has exceeded its second fundraising goal for flood recovery, surpassing $20,000 in donations for campgrounds and personnel impacted by the July 4-6 Hill Country disaster.
The association is increasing its goal once again and expanding its distribution of federal and state recovery resources to members.
TACO launched its Disaster Relief Fund earlier this week with an initial $10,000 target, which was met right away.
The second goal of $20,000 was surpassed by July 9, prompting the association to raise the target further.
The funds are being directed toward campgrounds and RV parks that suffered structural damage, business interruption, or staff displacement due to the floods.
“We’ve exceeded our second goal of $20,000 and will be upping the goal yet again,” TACO stated in a July 9 newsletter. “Thank you again to the tremendous support of the industry.”
Relief applications remain open. Impacted parks can download the application form through this link and submit completed forms to CEO and Executive Director Brian Schaeffer at [email protected].
In addition, TACO has added disaster-related guidance for members in the password-protected section of www.TACOMembers.com, including information on FEMA processes and preparedness for future events.
As the recovery expands beyond park owners to include employees and residents, TACO has highlighted the availability of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits through the Texas Workforce Commission.
The program supports workers, self-employed individuals, and others whose employment has been disrupted as a direct result of the flooding.
Individuals in federally declared disaster counties can apply for DUA by calling TWC at (800) 939-6631 or submitting an application online via Unemployment Benefit Services. The deadline to apply is September 4, 2025.
To qualify, applicants must meet at least one of several federal eligibility criteria, including having lost employment due to physical damage to a workplace, being unable to reach a job site due to road closures, or becoming a household’s primary earner due to a disaster-related death.
Required documentation must be submitted within 21 days of filing. Proof of employment can be uploaded through TWC’s UI Submission Portal by selecting “DUA Proof of Employment at Time of Disaster” from the drop-down menu.
Failure to meet documentation deadlines may result in repayment obligations for any issued benefits. TWC may be able to verify employment through wage records in some cases.
TACO also noted that additional counties may be added to President Trump’s disaster declaration as assessments continue.
State officials are reviewing data submitted through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s iSTAT tool at damage.tdem.texas.gov, which gathers self-reported damage from residents and businesses.
TACO’s outreach efforts are ongoing. The association is coordinating with vendors and dealerships to secure discounts on repairs and RV unit replacements, with details expected to be released soon.
It is also compiling a list of unaffected campgrounds willing to accommodate displaced RVers. Operators interested in participating can contact Lisa Rhodes at the TACO office to be listed on TexasCampgrounds.com.
The updated fundraising campaign remains live at gofundme.com/f/aid-for-texas-hill-country-disaster-relief.