Macfarlands to receive 2027 McIntosh Award

Christina and Benjamin Macfarland III will be honored by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties at its Feb. 24, 2027 Founders Luncheon in West Palm Beach. The award recognizes their philanthropy and community leadership, including support for local health, education and civic causes.

Why it matters: - The McIntosh Award spotlights local philanthropy that shapes access to health care, education and community support in Palm Beach and Martin counties. - Christina and Benjamin Macfarland III are being recognized for years of giving and civic involvement across the region. - The honor also serves as a fundraiser and public platform for the Community Foundation’s work with donors and nonprofits.

What happened: - The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties announced that Christina and Benjamin Macfarland III will receive the 2027 McIntosh Award. - The couple will be recognized at the 14th Annual Founders Luncheon on Feb. 24, 2027, at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. - The event will take place in the Cohen Pavilion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. - The luncheon theme is “Hope for Community Health.” - The event will highlight local donors and nonprofit partners working to improve reliable access to health care across Palm Beach and Martin counties.

The details: - The McIntosh Award is named for Community Foundation founders Winsome and Michael McIntosh. - The award is given annually to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the community. - Christina Macfarland served on the Community Foundation board from 2013 to 2022. - Her roles included board chair, co-chair of the Community Impact Committee, and board secretary for fiscal 2021-22. - She also served on the Development, Audit, Scholarship Advisory, Covid-19 Fund, Racial Equity and Inclusion, Strategic Planning, and MacArthur Advisory committees. - During her tenure, the foundation’s assets grew 77% from $141 million to more than $250 million. - The foundation also distributed more than $112 million in grants and scholarships during that period. - Christina Macfarland currently serves on the boards of Palm Beach Day Academy and the El Cid Neighborhood Association. - She remains involved with the Flagler Museum and the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens. - Christina Macfarland is a Leadership Palm Beach County graduate from the Class of 2013. - She holds a bachelor’s degree 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 CEO of SROA Capital, a real estate equity firm focused on self-storage. - Ben Macfarland has invested more than $5 billion in real estate over the past two decades. - He built Storage Rentals of America into a self-storage platform with more than 700 locations in the U.S. and a growing presence in the United Kingdom. - SROA Capital says the company is evolving into a global investment manager with a strategy centered on technology, data and operational discipline. - Ben Macfarland is a member of the Real Estate Roundtable in Washington, D.C. - He is closely tied to Florida State University and once launched a valet parking company there as a student. - He later donated commercial space in West Palm Beach to help establish the university’s local footprint. - The Macfarlands live in West Palm Beach with their five children. - The couple supports organizations including the Community Foundation, the Flagler Museum, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, 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. - Danita R. DeHaney, the foundation’s president and CEO, said the Macfarlands have helped strengthen Palm Beach County and have supported initiatives including the Rebound and Recovery program.

Between the lines: - The award frames the Macfarlands as a major philanthropic couple with influence across nonprofit, education and real estate circles. - The foundation is using the Founders Luncheon to connect donor recognition with broader community health needs. - The event theme suggests health access remains a central concern for local philanthropy in 2027.

What's next: - The Founders Luncheon will continue as the foundation’s signature annual event for donors and nonprofit partners. - Tickets and sponsorship information are available at More information. - The Community Foundation says it has distributed more than $300 million in grants and scholarships since 1972 and continues to focus on youth and education, economic opportunity, thriving communities, and crisis preparation and response.

The bottom line: - The Community Foundation is honoring the Macfarlands as examples of high-impact local giving, while using its marquee event to spotlight community health and philanthropy.