Gilchrist Foundation Supports Wildfire Recovery Efforts Across the Region
Warm, dry winters may feel like a welcome break, but they often come with hidden consequences. When drought conditions combine with high winds and low humidity, the risk of wildfire increases dramatically. That is exactly what happened across Nebraska and here in Woodbury County this spring.
In March 2026, a combination of extreme weather conditions led to historic wildfires across central and western Nebraska, while a separate grass fire ignited closer to home.
In response, the Gilchrist Foundation acted quickly. In early April, the Foundation awarded a $25,000 disaster grant to the American Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts in both Nebraska and Woodbury County, helping ensure those affected have access to immediate aid and ongoing support.
Wildfires Burn Hundreds of Thousands of Acres in Nebraska
Nebraska experienced one of its most severe wildfire seasons in recent history, with more than 827,000 acres burned across central and western parts of the state. The fires quickly spread due to extreme drought, low humidity and high winds. And while emergency crews across the region quickly stepped up to combat the fires, the Gilchrist Foundation’s disaster grant addressed the needs that arose once the fires were out.
The grant helped fund critical services provided by the American Red Cross, including emergency shelter, meals, health services, mental health support and residential damage assessments.
These services are essential in the days and weeks following a disaster, offering stability and care to individuals and families navigating unexpected loss. The Red Cross relies heavily on volunteers, who make up 90% of its workforce, making financial contributions like this one especially impactful.
Grass fire Destroys Two Homes in Woodbury County
While Nebraska crews were battling large-scale wildfires, a significant grass fire broke out closer to home in Woodbury County. The fire, which started near Bronson, Iowa on March 28, burned approximately 3,500 acres, stretching an estimated seven miles long and one mile wide. Two homes were destroyed.
The response effort brought together 40 fire and EMS departments from three states, along with eight law enforcement agencies, six emergency management organizations and more than 20 supporting groups, including the American Red Cross.
Events like this underscore how quickly disasters can affect communities of any size and how vital it is to have trusted organizations ready to respond.
A Continued Commitment to Disaster Relief
Supporting disaster recovery is a core part of the Gilchrist Foundation’s mission. Each year, the Foundation partners with the American Red Cross to ensure communities have access to immediate relief and long-term recovery resources when disaster strikes.
In 2025, the Foundation awarded $60,000 in disaster grants to assist with recovery efforts following a Sioux City apartment fire and wildfires in California. In 2024, $275,000 supported recovery from widespread tornado damage across the Midwest, as well as Hurricane Helene and regional flooding. In 2023, $150,000 helped communities affected by flooding in California, tornadoes in the South, Hurricane Idalia and wildfires in Hawaii.
Through these contributions, the Foundation helps the Red Cross maintain a strong and responsive presence both locally and nationwide.
The American Red Cross of Northwest Iowa and Northeast Nebraska serves a wide network of communities across Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota, ensuring help is never far away when it is needed most.
About the Gilchrist Foundation
The Gilchrist Foundation was established by Jocelyn Gilchrist of Sioux City to honor her family’s legacy. Her father, William Gilchrist, played an influential role in the livestock industry in the early and mid-1900s, and the wealth he built continues to support causes that mattered to the family.
Today, the Foundation focuses on philanthropy in areas such as wildlife and conservation, the arts and public broadcasting and disaster relief. Following Jocelyn’s death, the Foundation has continued its work in her memory, carrying forward a tradition of meaningful and timely giving.
The Foundation remains committed to supporting disaster relief efforts both locally and across the country. To learn more, visit the Gilchrist Foundation website.