In the wake of devastating flooding across the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, the strength of our state was once again on full display. We saw neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers distributing supplies and businesses stepping up with generous donations and hands-on support. This is the kind of community spirit we’ve come to expect in Texas—but as cleanup has transitioned to long-term recovery, the road ahead requires continued and intentional support from every corner of the state.

That includes us—businesses large and small who believe in the power of giving back and who recognize that the role we play in a community goes beyond the balance sheet. We’ve been inspired by companies who have contributed emergency resources, opened their doors to displaced residents or provided services free of charge. But this kind of corporate giving can’t stop when the camera crews leave. Recovery isn’t a moment; it’s a process.

We’ve seen inspiring examples across the Central Texas region. H-E-B mobilized its disaster response unit, deploying its mobile kitchens and delivering direct aid to affected families. Local restaurants like P. Terry’s and Kerbey Lane donated proceeds to flood relief efforts. And numerous businesses and individuals have contributed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation, both of whom are committed to long-term recovery. These acts of generosity are just a few of the many ways Texans have come together.

And we must continue asking ourselves: what more can we do? FEMA estimates that 40 percent of small businesses never reopen after a natural disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates the number is closer to 90 percent. That’s not just a statistic—that’s a warning.

At Texas Mutual Insurance Company and BeforeDuringAfter, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic giving and long-term planning can ease the burden on communities, and especially businesses, recovering from disaster. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofit networks or helping rebuild small businesses from the ground up, corporate philanthropy must be more than a one-time donation. It must be part of a company’s culture.

Thankfully, many businesses are already doing this. They’ve built social responsibility into their values. They know that strong communities make for strong companies. And we want to encourage every business—especially those who call Texas home—to do the same. Whether you're a statewide employer with hundreds of employees or a neighborhood business with a loyal customer base, your support matters. It could mean donating to a vetted relief fund, offering paid time off for employees to volunteer or partnering with nonprofits to meet evolving community needs.

It’s also critical to ensure we’re listening to local leaders. The most effective recovery efforts are those led by communities themselves, and businesses should follow their lead. Ask what’s needed, stay involved and don’t be afraid to innovate. From mobile clinics and supply hubs to in-kind services and shared resources, the solutions of tomorrow often come from the challenges of today.

For companies who already tout their philanthropy as part of their DNA, now is the time to show that commitment in action. And for those still defining what social responsibility looks like in practice, there’s never been a more urgent opportunity to start.

Recovery from these floods will take years. Let’s not let the momentum fade. And let’s make sure that our support doesn’t come with an expiration date.

Jeremiah Bentley is the vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state’s largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance. Justen Noakes is the executive director of BeforeDuringAfter, a complete business resilience ecosystem for Texas businesses to build their emergency planning and response capability.