Terling Named Finalist for Alabama Philanthropy Award
The Austin 1st Foundation co-founder has been recognized for his work supporting families navigating rare diseases.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Philanthropy
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SoulGrown has named Anthony Terling a finalist for the 2026 Soul of the South Philanthropy award. The nomination highlights his commitment to families impacted by rare diseases through the foundation he established in 2022.
Why it matters
The recognition brings visibility to the philanthropic efforts led by business leaders in support of health-focused community initiatives. This nomination underscores the increasing role that private foundations play in filling resource gaps for families managing rare medical conditions.
Anthony Terling is one of 3 finalists selected for the Philanthropy category of the 4th annual Soul of the South awards. The foundation he co-founded was established following the 2022 passing of his son, who lived with a UBA5 genetic mutation until age 9.
The players
Anthony Terling
A sports development director for Auburn-Opelika Tourism and co-founder of the Austin 1st Foundation who serves on multiple state-level health advisory committees.
SoulGrown
An organization that manages an annual awards program to recognize leadership and community contributions across Alabama.
Austin 1st Foundation
A charitable organization founded by Anthony and Lindsey Terling to provide support to families navigating the challenges of rare diseases.
The details
Anthony Terling, who serves as the sports development director for Auburn-Opelika Tourism, co-founded the Austin 1st Foundation to assist families dealing with rare diagnoses. Beyond his foundation work, Terling maintains an active profile in state health policy through his service on the Alabama Rare Disease Advisory Council and the Children's of Alabama Committee for the Future. The SoulGrown selection process evaluates individuals based on their community impact, with the final winners to be named at the Barber Motorsports Museum.
Timeline
2022: Anthony 'Austin' Terling Jr. passed away.
2026: Anthony Terling was named a Soul of the South finalist.
October 22, 2026: Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Market Landscape
The 4th annual Soul of the South awards highlights the growing integration of private philanthropy into the state's broader public health support network. This award cycle serves as a benchmark for how regional business leaders leverage their professional platforms to drive social impact.
Operators looking to align their corporate social responsibility efforts with specific state health advocacy should monitor the outcomes of the Soul of the South awards. Tracking these initiatives can help businesses identify relevant community partners for long-term health and wellness outreach.
The takeaway
Philanthropic leadership often stems from personal experience, providing operators with a powerful model for community engagement. Review your current charitable outreach to ensure it aligns with both your corporate strengths and the most pressing needs of your local community.
What happens next
The final award winners will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Barber Motorsports Museum on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the regional non-profit landscape, see Philanthropy.
More information
To learn about the organization's initiatives, visit the Austin 1st Foundation mission information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika Observer.
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