About us
The Austin Foundation was founded in 1994 in Seattle, Washington, to empower young people to lead healthier, more active lives. The foundation provides accessible fitness programs, nutrition education, and mentorship opportunities, addressing the unique challenges faced by underserved communities in the Seattle/King County area.
Co-founded by Willie J. Austin, a University of Washington football player and World Drug-Free Powerlifting Champion, the foundation was inspired by his passion for promoting health and fitness as tools for personal growth and community development. Willie believed in the power of fitness to not only improve physical health but also build confidence, resilience, and lifelong habits that empower individuals to succeed.
The Austin Foundation’s programs focus on bridging racial and socioeconomic disparities in health by equipping youth aged 5 to 25 with the tools to live healthy, purposeful lives. From its early beginnings with Willie’s Youth & Fitness program in 1994 to its formal establishment as a 501c(3) nonprofit in 1997, the foundation has remained a trusted community resource, partnering with schools, community centers, and local organizations to serve thousands of young people.
Willie Austin’s legacy continues to guide the foundation’s mission. Though he passed away in 2013, his vision lives on through the foundation’s efforts to inspire and uplift future generations.