Dan Marino Foundation Fund
Empowering Individuals with Autism and Their Families for Generations to Come.
The Dan Marino Foundation’s life-changing mission continues through an endowed fund at the Community Foundation of Broward.
A Legacy Built on Love
On the football field, Dan Marino’s talent and dedication made him an NFL Hall of Famer, a Miami Dolphins legend and a South Florida sports icon.
Away from the game, Dan teamed up with his wife Claire to forge an even more impactful legacy: championing life-changing support for people with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Soon after their second son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism, Dan and Claire launched the Dan Marino Foundation in 1992. For more than three decades, their foundation invested in programs, partnerships and innovative approaches that empower people with special needs to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. That includes support to foster independent living, increase access to therapeutic services, bolster social connections, open doors to post-secondary education, invest in employment initiatives and research ways to improve quality of life.
“There’s that initial shock, ‘What do we do? Why us?’ But we kind of took it head on saying we are going to do whatever we can to help Michael get the best help. All the things we’ve done over the years in raising money kind of started from, not only seeing how Mike developed, but seeing how it was so important to help others.”
— Dan Marino
Dan and Claire Marino share why they made empowering people with autism their life’s work.
Three Decades of Impact
From pioneering virtual-reality interview training to launching the ACE Coalition for inclusive workplaces, the Marinos’ work has shaped brighter futures in Broward and far beyond.
Dan and Claire create the Dan Marino Foundation after their son Michael is diagnosed with autism.
The Dan Marino Outpatient Center opens in partnership with Miami Children’s Hospital (now Nicklaus Children’s Hospital), bringing therapeutic services for children with autism together under one roof.
The Marino Autism Research Institute launches to advance quality-of-life research with university partners including Vanderbilt, the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University.
Marino Adapted Aquatics begins certifying instructors to teach children with special needs to swim, in response to a tragic number of drownings across Florida.
First Dan Marino Foundation WalkAbout Autism at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Marino Campus opens in Broward, a post-secondary school helping young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities build a bridge to employment.
Marino Campus expands to Miami-Dade at Florida International University.
The Sensory Room at Hard Rock Stadium opens, giving guests with sensory sensitivities a comfortable space during games and events.
The Next Chapter
Now Dan and Claire are making sure this critical support never ends.
By establishing the endowed Dan Marino Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, they have enlisted our team to carry their foundation’s mission forward. Year after year, we will work closely with the Marino family to direct grants from the fund to continue innovative programs that empower people with autism and other developmental disabilities in our community.
Here’s how it works:
The mission continues.
Grantmaking from the fund invests in the same causes the Dan Marino Foundation has championed for more than 30 years.
The family stays involved.
The Marino family works alongside the Community Foundation’s experts to guide the fund’s grantmaking.
The impact grows.
As an endowment, the fund is invested carefully so it generates grants every year, forever. Gifts made today keep giving for generations.
That’s the power of endowment. The Marino family’s legacy of life-changing impact will go on forever.
Join the Marinos in Empowering People with Autism
Every gift to the Dan Marino Foundation Fund strengthens a permanent source of support for people with autism and other developmental disabilities in Broward.
Give online
Make a secure credit card gift in minutes. Want your support to continue automatically? Set up a recurring monthly gift through our online portal.
Give by check
Make checks payable to Community Foundation of Broward and write “DMF Fund” in the memo line. Mail or drop off checks at 910 E. Las Olas Blvd, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Other ways to give
- Gifts of stock or appreciated securities
- Grants from your donor advised fund
- Gifts through your will or estate plan
To discuss any of these options, contact Jessica Vones, Senior Director, Philanthropic Services, at 954-761-9503 or info@cfbroward.org.
The Community Foundation of Broward is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Gifts to the Dan Marino Foundation Fund are tax deductible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the fund?
Contact Jessica Vones, Senior Director, Philanthropic Services
954-761-9503 · info@cfbroward.org
Community Foundation of Broward
910 E. Las Olas Blvd, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
