About the Dan Marino Foundation
Founded by Dan and Claire Marino after their son, Michael was diagnosed with autism in 1992, the Dan Marino Foundation has a long and distinguished history of life-changing programs and services with the mission to “empower individuals with autism.” Today, 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism in the United States. To ensure support is given to those who need it, ninety-four cents of every dollar donated to the Foundation goes toward programs and other initiatives which have included:
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Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center
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Marino Autism Research Institute
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Marino Adapted Aquatics
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Marino Campus accredited post-secondary schools
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Hub2Connect
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Local and nationwide autism organizations
Through grants awarded by Google, the NFL Foundation, and Magic Leap, the Dan Marino Foundation leads in offering technology solutions that address barriers to employment and independence encountered by individuals with autism. The Foundation is a Charity Navigator 4-star organization, GuideStar Gold Seal Charity, and Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Mary Partin
CEO
Betsy Christy
Director of Finance
Susan Morantes
Director of Philanthropy
Lauren Ferguson
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Daniel C. Marino, Jr.
Founder/Chairman
Claire D. Marino
Founder/Secretary
Francis Fraenkel
Treasurer
Ralph Stringer
Director
Michael Marino
Director
Joseph Marino
Director
Lia Marino
Director
Niki Marino
Director
Marino Milestones
The DMF Journey
1992 DMF Created:
Shortly after their second son Michael, was diagnosed with autism, Dan and Claire created the Dan Marino Foundation.
1998 Dan Marino Center:
DMF partnered with Miami Children's Hospital to create the Dan Marino Outpatient Center, offering a wide array of therapeutic services for children with autism under one roof.
2004 Childnett.tv:
With the creation of Childnett.tv®, a first-of-it-kind web channel on the internet, the Foundation was able to reach out globally to families, clinicians, and educators providing information on autism and other neurological disorders – all free of charge.
2005 Marino Autism Research Institute:
The Marino Autism Research Institute, or MARI, was formed to advance quality-of-life research issues. MARI partners included: Vanderbilt, the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, and the University of Southern California.
2006 Marino Adapted Aquatics Program:
In response to a tragic number of drownings of children with special needs in the State of Florida, the Foundation created the Marino Adapted Aquatics Certification Program.dvance quality-of-life research issues. MARI partners included: Vanderbilt, the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, and the University of Southern California.
2008 STEP
Employment programs for teens and young adults, like Summer STEPS and STEP into Employment became central to the mission of the DMF.
2009 Foster Care:
Programs were created for teens and young adults who had transitioned out of foster care.
2010 Dan Marino Sr. Library:
Resource library and information center at the Dan Marino Outpatient Center for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families is dedicated in memory of Dan Marino, Sr.
2011 DMF WalkAbout Autism:
Inaugural walk benefiting the autism community and schools is held. $2,774,000 has been raised through this event with more than 15,000 participants each year.
2012 Jobs Development Program:
A pilot program funded by the Florida Legislature enabled the Foundation to develop and refine curriculum that became the cornerstone of Marino Campus programming.
2013 Career Services:
Working in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation, the Foundation offered support services to assist young adults with disabilities in attaining competitive employment.
2013 Marino Campus Broward:
Marino Campus, a post-secondary school for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities is founded providing a critical bridge to employment.
2014 VI Ready:
The DMF created VI|ready software and curriculum using virtual reality to immerse users in a job interview environment.
2015 Google Impact Challenge Grant:
The Foundation was awarded $824,064 from Google toward the expansion of VI|ready technology making the software more interactive.
2016 Marino Campus - Miami Dade:
Marino Campus opens a second school at the FIU Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC) in Miami.
2018 Magic Leap Spotlight Grant:
In partnership with Magic Leap, VI|ready was adapted to a mixed reality format making the experience much more realistic to the user.
2018 Juvenile Reentry Virtual Interviewing Program (DJJ):
This program helps support the successful transition of incarcerated youth back into society through the use of virtual technology to promote and facilitate employment statewide.
2019 Sensory Room at Hard Rock Stadium:
Hard Rock Stadium announced the creation of the Sensory Room presented by the Dan Marino Foundation and Bose Corporation, a space within the facility designed to ensure guests have a comfortable and private space during games and events if needed.
2020 VI Ready Online and EduEx:
VI|ready Online is a web-based version of the vita software making the program more accessible, and EduEx is a series of interactive courses to increase users’ employability and soft skills to bolster success in obtaining and maintaining employment.
2021 Q-Tech Works:
Q-Tech Works engages students with autism in STEAM, exploring robotics, graphic design, IT, and web development. Developed with the Embassy of Qatar, it opens doors to new skills and career paths.
2023 Hub2Connect
Hub2Connect fosters personal and professional growth for neurodivergent adults, offering a supportive community and opportunities to build essential skills.
2024 ACE Coalition
Based in Dania Beach, Florida, the ACE Coalition provides autism training and guidance to organizations on creating inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals—enhancing community engagement, supporting economic growth, and fostering inclusion.
1992 DMF Created
Shortly after their second son Michael, was diagnosed with Autism, Dan and Claire created the Dan Marino Foundation.
1998 Dan Marino Center
DMF partnered with Miami Children’s Hospital to create the Dan Marino Outpatient Center, offering a wide array of therapeutic services for children with Autism under one roof.
2004 Childnett.tv
With the creation of Childnett.tv®, a first-of-it-kind web channel on the internet, the Foundation was able to reach out globally to families, clinicians, and educators providing information on Autism and other neurological disorders – all free of charge.
2005 Marino Autism Research Institute
The Marino Autism Research Institute, or MARI, was formed to advance quality-of-life research issues. MARI partners included: Vanderbilt, the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern University, and the University of Southern California.
2006 Marino Adapted Aquatics Program
In response to a tragic number of drownings of children with special needs in the State of Florida, the Foundation created the Marino Adapted Aquatics Certification Program.
2008 STEP
Employment programs for teens and young adults, like Summer STEPS and STEP into Employment became central to the mission of the DMF.
2009 Foster Care
Programs were created for teens and young adults who had transitioned out of foster care.
2010 Dan Marino Sr. Library
Resource library and information center at the Dan Marino Outpatient Center for children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families is dedicated in memory of Dan Marino, Sr.
2011 DMF WalkAbout Autism
Inaugural walk benefiting the Autism community and schools is held. $2,774,000 has been raised through this event with more than 15,000 participants each year.
2012 Jobs Development Program
A pilot program funded by the Florida Legislature enabled the Foundation to develop and refine curriculum that became the cornerstone of Marino Campus programming.
2013 Career Services
Working in collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation, the Foundation offered support services to assist young adults with disabilities in attaining competitive employment.
2013 Marino Campus Broward
Marino Campus, a post-secondary school for young adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities is founded providing a critical bridge to employment.
2014 VI ready
The DMF created VI|ready software and curriculum using virtual reality to immerse users in a job interview environment.
2015 Google Impact Challenge Grant
The Foundation was awarded $824,064 from Google toward the expansion of VI|ready technology making the software more interactive.
2016 Marino Campus - Miami Dade
Marino Campus opens a second school at the FIU Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC) in Miami.
2018 Magic Leap Spotlight Grant
In partnership with Magic Leap, VI|ready was adapted to a mixed reality format making the experience much more realistic to the user.
2018 Juvenile Reentry Virtual Interviewing Program (DJJ)
This program supports the successful reintegration of incarcerated youth into society by using virtual technology to promote and facilitate employment opportunities statewide.
2019 Sensory Room at Hard Rock Stadium
Hard Rock Stadium announced the creation of the Sensory Room presented by the Dan Marino Foundation and Bose Corporation, a space within the facility designed to ensure guests have a comfortable and private space during games and events if needed.
2020 VI ready Online and EduEx
VI|Ready Online is a web-based version of the VITA software, enhancing accessibility to the program. EduEx offers a series of interactive courses designed to improve users’ employability and soft skills, supporting their success in securing and sustaining employment.
2021 Q-Tech Works
Q-Tech Works engages students with autism in STEAM, exploring robotics, graphic design, IT, and web development. Developed with the Embassy of Qatar, it opens doors to new skills and career paths.
2023 Hub2Connect
Hub2Connect fosters personal and professional growth for neurodivergent adults, offering a supportive community and opportunities to build essential skills.
2024 ACE Coalition
Based in Dania Beach, Florida, the ACE Coalition provides autism training and guidance to organizations on creating inclusive spaces for neurodivergent individuals—enhancing community engagement, supporting economic growth, and fostering inclusion.