COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH AND MARTIN COUNTIES HONORS CHRISTINA & BENJAMIN MACFARLAND WITH 2027 MCINTOSH AWARD

Macfarlands Will Be Recognized at Community Foundation’s 14th Annual Founders Luncheon in February 2027

WEST PALM BEACH, FL, UNITED STATES, August 19, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, a not-for-profit organization that leads partnerships with donors, nonprofits and community members to address the region’s chronic and emerging issues, has announced that dedicated Palm Beach County philanthropists and community leaders Christina and Benjamin Macfarland III will receive the 2027 McIntosh Award.

Named in honor of Community Foundation founders Winsome and Michael McIntosh, the prestigious award is presented annually to an individual or organization who has made significant contributions to the community. The Macfarlands will be recognized at the 14th Annual Founders Luncheon, taking place on February 24, 2027, at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. This year’s event, themed “Hope for Community Health,” will spotlight local donors and nonprofit partners who are working to ensure reliable access to healthcare across Palm Beach and Martin Counties.

“Through both their leadership and charitable giving, the Macfarlands exemplify the power of giving where you live and inspiring others to do the same,” added Michael J. Bracci, Chair of the Board for the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. “Together, they represent exactly the kind of engaged, forward-thinking philanthropy that will keep our community strong for generations to come. We look forward to celebrating their impact on the community at the Founders Luncheon."

Christina M. Macfarland has devoted more than two decades to strengthening communities through philanthropy, nonprofit leadership, and civic engagement. She served on the Board of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties from 2013 to 2022, including as Chair and Co-Chair of the Community Impact Committee from 2014 to 2021 and as Board Secretary for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. During her tenure, she also served on the Foundation’s Development, Audit, Scholarship Advisory, Covid-19 Fund, Racial Equity and Inclusion, Strategic Planning, and MacArthur Advisory Committees, and helped guide the Foundation’s asset growth by 77 percent, from $141 million to more than $250 million, while it provided more than $112 million in grants and scholarships to the community. Christina currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Palm Beach Day Academy and the El Cid Neighborhood Association Board, and remains actively involved with the Flagler Museum and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. A graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County (Class of 2013), she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Administration, with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management, from American University.

Benjamin Macfarland III is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SROA Capital, a vertically integrated real estate equity firm focused on self-storage. A lifelong resident of Palm Beach County, Ben has invested more than $5 billion in real estate over the past two decades, building Storage Rentals of America into one of the industry’s leading self-storage platforms, with more than 700 locations across the United States and a growing presence in the United Kingdom. As SROA continues to expand, it is also evolving into a leading global investment manager, guided by a disciplined investment strategy, operational excellence, and a strong emphasis on technology and data. Ben remains deeply connected to Florida State University, where he first launched a valet parking company as a student, and later donated commercial space in West Palm Beach to help establish the university’s local footprint. He is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable in Washington, D.C.

Ben and Christina live in West Palm Beach, Florida, with their five children, and are active supporters of a range of local organizations, including the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, the Flagler Museum, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, the Real Estate Roundtable, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach Day Academy, Saint Andrew’s School, the Orange Bowl Committee, and the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County.

"The Macfarlands are dedicated philanthropists and community leaders whose generosity has helped strengthen Palm Beach County for years," said Danita R. DeHaney, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. "When the community calls, Ben and Christina are always among the first to raise their hands, from our Rebound and Recovery program to so many other initiatives that have changed lives throughout our community. We are proud to celebrate them with the 2027 McIntosh Award in recognition of the indelible philanthropic impact they have made."

About the Founders Luncheon
Established in 2014 as the Founder’s Award Luncheon, the Community Foundation’s signature annual event was launched as an opportunity to convene donors and nonprofit partners on important issues facing the region and to celebrate their collective impact. In addition to raising awareness, the Founders Luncheon showcases the importance of philanthropy with a special award ceremony. The Founders Luncheon will be held at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, February 24, 2027 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For additional information, tickets and sponsorship information, please visit https://founders.yourcommunityfoundation.org.

About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is a nonprofit organization that leads philanthropy locally. The foundation provides charitable expertise and vehicles to increase the investment options on behalf of individuals, family foundations, and corporations. Since 1972, the foundation has distributed over $300 million in grants and scholarships aimed at closing the area’s opportunity gaps. With its vast network of donors and nonprofit partners, the foundation supports initiatives that improve youth and education, economic opportunity, thriving communities, and crisis preparation and response. Learn more at https://yourcommunityfoundation.org.

Melissa Perlman
BlueIvy Communications
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