Anthony Terling Named Soul of the South Finalist
The Auburn-Opelika sports director was honored for his foundation's rare disease advocacy work.
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 supporting families navigating rare diseases through the Austin 1st Foundation.
Why it matters
The recognition shines a light on the ongoing efforts of the Austin 1st Foundation to provide aid to families impacted by rare genetic conditions. This work honors the memory of Anthony Terling's late son, who suffered from a rare UBA5 mutation.
Terling is one of 3 finalists selected for the Philanthropy category in the 4th annual Soul of the South awards program. His work centers on the Austin 1st Foundation, founded following the death of his 9-year-old son.
The players
Anthony Terling
He is the sports development director for Auburn-Opelika Tourism and a prominent advocate for rare disease research.
Austin 1st Foundation
This organization was co-founded by Anthony and Lindsey Terling to provide support for families navigating the challenges of rare diseases.
SoulGrown
This organization hosts the annual Soul of the South awards program to recognize impactful philanthropic efforts across the region.
Alabama Rare Disease Advisory Council
This state entity works to improve the lives of individuals living with rare diseases through policy recommendations and public awareness.
Children's of Alabama Committee for the Future
This committee supports the mission of Children's of Alabama by engaging community leaders in philanthropic outreach.
The details
Anthony Terling, who serves as the sports development director for Auburn-Opelika Tourism, co-founded the Austin 1st Foundation with Lindsey Terling. Beyond his foundation work, he contributes to state health initiatives as a member of the Alabama Rare Disease Advisory Council and the Children's of Alabama Committee for the Future.
Timeline
Austin Terling Jr. passed away in 2022.
Anthony Terling was named a finalist in 2026.
Winners will be announced on October 22, 2026.
Market Landscape
The nomination reflects the community-led philanthropic objectives promoted by the Alabama Rare Disease Advisory Council. This award cycle highlights the growing integration between individual advocacy foundations and state-level healthcare support networks.
Residents interested in supporting rare disease advocacy can engage with the resources provided by the foundation to assist local families. The award recognition may increase public participation in upcoming fundraising initiatives connected to the foundation's mission.
The takeaway
Philanthropic nominations serve to amplify the visibility of small foundations dedicated to specialized health support. Families seeking resources can look to such organizations for guidance and peer support networks.
What happens next
The winners of the 4th annual Soul of the South awards will be officially announced during an awards ceremony at the Barber Motorsports Museum on October 22, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's charitable landscape by visiting Alabama Philanthropy.
More information
For more information on the cause, visit the Austin 1st Foundation mission information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Opelika Observer.
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