Paul Austin

Paul Austin is honoured with award for outstanding philanthropic leadership for the HIV/AIDS community

Paul Austin is being recognized with a Casey Award for leadership in philanthropy for the HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ communities. The award commemorates Paul’s pivotal early support for multiple AIDS service organizations (ASOs), and continued dedication to the HIV community through his generous financial contributions. He carries a longstanding history of donations made individually and from the P. Austin Family Foundation, which he runs alongside his wife Pamela.

During the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, Paul was a keen financial supporter of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT). This critical funding provided vital services to the community during a time of peak discrimination and stigmatization of people with HIV and AIDS. Similarly, many years later he was a key benefactor in the establishment of HQ Toronto, a community health centre that provides sexual, mental, and social health services to MSM, two-spirit, and non-binary people.

Paul has also demonstrated considerable leadership with a landmark donation to Rainbow Railroad and his multi-decade support for the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR). Paul leveraged his network, time, and resources to help produce innovative projects. This includes direct funding of research, prevention initiatives, and educational resources. Through a pioneering donation from the P. Austin Family Foundation, CANFAR launched the national youth-driven educational platform Sexfluent, which offers topical and accessible sexual health information dedicated to ending the transmission of HIV.

Through his extensive portfolio of philanthropic endeavours, Paul Austin exemplifies unwavering commitment to health care, research, and community development in the HIV sector. His efforts have bolstered ASOs with resources for HIV testing, counselling and health care services, research, and innovative programming. Moreover, the impacts of his support will cascade into a new era, as the next generation of youth will be given additional resources for well-being.

Paul’s dedication and initiative are an inspiring example for emerging philanthropists. His gifts have touched the lives of many across decades, communities, intersectionalities, and borders. Casey House extends warm congratulations to Paul Austin on achieving this recognition of his generosity.