“Nick’s ability to build successful businesses while maintaining a strong commitment to social impact is a testament to his leadership and vision,” said Calvert Collins-Bratton, CFT’s Chief Relationships Officer. I’m confident that with his deep-rooted background driving social responsibility, he’ll foster a sustainable impact in our community.”
Since 2017, Communities Foundation of Texas has worked with companies of all sizes to grow their impact in North Texas through its CFT for Business program. Throughout its history, dozens of events have been organized to promote employee engagement through giving, volunteering, and networking. Before CFT for Business, the program was known as Entrepreneurs for North Texas (EFNT), which was founded in 2000 and included current CBI members BFS Advisory Group, D Magazine, Dallas Business Journal, ES/OnDemand, Fibroid Institute Dallas, HumCap, Marketwave and Platinum IDS.
To take CFT’s longstanding focus on corporate philanthropy to the next level, CFT is launching the new Center for Business Impact. From grantmaking to employee volunteer and networking opportunities, internship facilitation, and philanthropic and board training, the Center for Business Impact will be a one-stop shop for supporting businesses in making the greatest positive impact on our region.
The Center will offer expertise in corporate social responsibility; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; and environmental, social, and governance programs that drive employee engagement and community impact.
“The opportunity to lead the Center of Business Impact is both a privilege and a chance to bridge the gap between corporate ambition and community need, creating a synergy that uplifts entire neighborhoods. I am eager to inspire businesses to become catalysts for positive change, utilizing their resources to address pressing social challenges,” said Nick Marino, Jr.
Marino has been active with CFT for over a decade and is an alumni of its inaugural Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy cohort and Social Entrepreneurship certificate program. He started Tango Charities, a nonprofit focused on feeding, educating, and empowering communities through healthy food. Through Tango Charities’ initiatives like Feed The City, Marino has spearheaded over 1,600 events across the globe, engaging 97,000+ volunteers and providing over 7 million meals to those in need.
Marino holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of North Texas and most recently served as the Senior Director of Marketing at Curis Functional Health. Additionally, he co-founded Revolving Mind Media, a marketing agency helping brands and athletes create meaningful connections with their audiences.
As a recognized community leader, Marino has received numerous awards including the 2024 American Marketing Association Marketing Maverick of the Year Award and the 2023 NCAA Legends and Legacy Community Award. He has been previously honored as “Top Texan Under 30” by Culture Map and through Dallas Observer’s “30 Under 30 Future Business Leaders of Dallas.”
He’s currently the Chairman of the Board of Philanthropy Kids and a member of Conscious Capitalism and Success North Dallas. He recently served on the advisory board of Engage Dallas (formerly Mayor Star Council) and has remained active in the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy alumni steering committee. He has been involved with Genesis Women’s Shelter as a HE-ro and is a former Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Pictured from left to right: CBI’s Kymberlaine Banks. Senior Business Engagement Officer; Nick Marino, Center for Business Impact Director; and Elizabeth Corley, Business Engagement Officer
