Honoring Austin. Helping Young People Thrive.
The Austin Germani Memorial Fund was created in memory of Austin Germani and inspired by his life, his experiences, and a question he once asked:
“Why don’t people talk about mental health?”
Today, we honor Austin by helping change that conversation and supporting organizations working to improve the mental health and well-being of youth and young adults.
William Austin Germani had a presence 100x larger than his physical body. He had the loudest voice and the biggest heart.
If you needed to laugh, he was your guy. If you needed to cry, he was also your guy. When Austin's friends think of him, the word BIG is what comes to mind, yet he was about 5'9" and 135 pounds. BIG was how he lived and how he showed up for others. BIG is how he will continue to show up through the Austin Germani Memorial Fund.
In 2017, at the age of 19, Austin died by suicide. Throughout his battle with anxiety and depression, I learned a great deal from his perspective. One moment has stayed with me more than any other. Austin asked me, "Why don't people talk about mental health?"
We had a deep conversation about why he felt that way. That conversation continues to influence the work I do today. "Austin Changed My Mind" is how I honor his life — by helping create an environment where people, especially young people, feel comfortable talking openly about their mental well-being.
Austin was also a tremendous dog lover. Dogs were a significant part of our family and a source of solace for Austin. He understood the joy, unconditional love, connection and sense of purpose that can come from the bond between a person and an animal.
That connection remains an important part of Austin's legacy and has helped guide the Fund toward opportunities to bring the comfort and companionship of animals to young people when they may need it most.
Austin's life, his experiences and the things that mattered to him continue to shape the work of the Fund today.
His Life Still Guides Our Work
Austin's life continues to shape what we do in his memory. The things that mattered to him, the challenges he faced and what I learned by seeing the world through his perspective have given the Fund a very personal sense of purpose.
Today, we carry those lessons forward by supporting work that we believe can make life better for other young people.
More Than $50,000 Donated
This year, the Austin Germani Memorial Fund reached an important milestone — more than $50,000 donated to nonprofit organizations supporting youth and young adult mental health and well-being.
Austin's experiences continue to influence where we give. We seek out organizations providing meaningful connection, mentorship, mental health resources and other forms of support that can make a real difference in a young person's life.
Our relationships with many of these organizations go beyond financial support. Through volunteer involvement, we have the opportunity to see their work firsthand and better understand the impact they are making.
Be Part of Austin's Legacy
Austin showed up BIG for the people he cared about. Today, we invite others to help us continue showing up for young people in his memory.
Whether you make a donation, join us for Strike Out Stress, attend an event, support one of the organizations we believe in, or simply help make conversations about mental health a little easier — you are helping carry Austin's legacy forward.
Together, we can keep changing the conversation and supporting the people and organizations showing up for young people every day.
DONATE | STRIKE OUT STRESS | UPCOMING EVENTS
The Austin Germani Memorial Fund is held by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. Funds are disbursed to 501c3 organizations at the direction of Ginger Germani, based on the terms provided through CACF.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
