Austin was an adventurer, traveler, and gifted photographer who studied in Paris and London before carrying his lens across the California coast, the deserts of the Southwest, Yosemite’s granite walls, and deep into the Grand Canyon. His photographs are more than images—they are windows into beauty, intimacy, and wonder.
On April 3, 2025, Austin died by suicide at the age of 30. While his absence is a profound loss, his art continues to speak: urging us to see deeply, love fiercely, and keep the conversation about mental health alive.
The Austin Dickey Creativity in Advocacy Fund, created in partnership with Active Minds, honors Austin’s life and his extraordinary gift for seeing and sharing beauty through photography. Austin’s story is both a tribute and a call to action—reminding us that creativity has the power to open hearts, break stigma, and spark change.
Each year, the Austin Dickey Creativity in Advocacy Award will grant $1,000 to a young adult within the Active Minds network who uses art and storytelling to champion mental health awareness. Your support keeps Austin’s vision alive and empowers future voices to carry his legacy forward.
Checks may be mailed directly to:
Austin Dickey Creativity in Advocacy Fund
C/o Community Foundation for MetroWest
3 Eliot Street
Natick, MA 01760
Contributions may also be made from your Donor Advised Fund. Please make contributions to the Community Foundation for MetroWest naming the Austin Dickey Creativity in Advocacy Fund as the purpose.
Please call Megan Bransfield at (508) 647-2260 at the Community Foundation for MetroWest to make a donation directly, or if you have questions.
Gifts to The Austin Dickey Creativity in Advocacy Fund are tax-deductible.
EIN 04-3266789