The Benevolence Foundation (BENFO) is proud to welcome Captain Lee — renowned superyacht captain and beloved television personality — as a supporter of our mission to turn generosity into life-changing impact for children and families in need.
For years, Captain Lee has been a familiar face to audiences around the world, known for his professionalism on the water, his commitment to safety, and his straightforward, good-hearted leadership style. Now, he’s lending that same spirit of integrity and service to a cause that matters deeply: helping high-value asset owners transform their yachts, motorhomes, and aircraft into charitable gifts that support children’s healthcare.
This is an exciting moment for BENFO — not just because a widely respected maritime figure has joined our growing circle of advocates, but because his support helps us speak directly to the yachting community we were built to serve.
Why Captain Lee’s Support Matters
Captain Lee spent years at the helm of luxury vessels, working closely with yacht owners, charter guests, and crew. That experience gives him a unique understanding of the yachting world — especially the level of care, maintenance, and investment required to own and operate a yacht.
He also understands something else: at a certain point, many yacht owners are ready to do something meaningful with their vessel.
That’s where BENFO comes in.
The Benevolence Foundation was created to make it easy, compliant, and truly purposeful for owners to donate high-value assets — such as yachts, superyachts, sportfishers, motor coaches, or even aircraft — so that the proceeds can go on to help children in need, including those receiving treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Having Captain Lee help carry that message — especially to the marine industry — gives it added credibility, reach, and heart.
A Shared Belief: Luxury Can Serve a Higher Purpose
One of the most powerful parts of BENFO’s mission is the idea that assets built for enjoyment can be redirected toward healing.
- A yacht that’s no longer being used regularly
- A vessel that has become burdensome to maintain
- A luxury motorhome that’s ready for its next chapter
- Even an aircraft that an owner is ready to retire
Through BENFO, these assets can be donated, evaluated, sold, and converted into funds that support life-saving work. That’s the story we tell donors — and it’s the story Captain Lee believes in, too.
He has spent a lifetime around people who love the water and love the boating lifestyle. Many of those same people also love to give back. BENFO gives them a structured, IRS-recognized, 501(c)(3) pathway to do exactly that.
Amplifying the Message to the Marine Industry
Because of his long career as a professional captain and his years on national television showcasing the reality of life aboard luxury vessels, Captain Lee is uniquely positioned to speak to:
- Yacht brokers
- Captains and crew
- Charter management companies
- Shipyards and refit yards
- Owners who want to exit gracefully and charitably
His support helps BENFO reach deeper into the boating and yachting community — the very audience that is most likely to have assets capable of making a major charitable impact.
As BENFO continues appearing at major marine events — such as the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and the Miami International Boat Show — having a respected captain aligned with our cause helps open more doors, start more conversations, and inspire more donations.
A Cause Worth Supporting: Children’s Health
At the center of all of this is the “why.”
BENFO exists to support children — especially those facing serious illness — through organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. When a donor gives through BENFO, they are not just moving an asset; they’re helping families who are fighting the hardest battles of their lives.
That’s a message Captain Lee believes in. And it’s a message we’re proud to deliver together.
About The Benevolence Foundation
Founded by the D’Agnese Family in 2001 and awarded 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2015, The Benevolence Foundation was created to give owners of high-value assets a trusted, transparent, and honorable way to donate their vessels, vehicles, and aircraft in support of children’s causes.
With the launch of our new website — BENFO.org — our mission is now more accessible than ever to the marine, motor coach, and aviation communities.
A Note of Gratitude to Captain Lee
To Captain Lee — we thank you for your support, your voice, and your example. Your years of service on the water, and your ability to connect with people from every walk of life, make you an incredible ambassador for a foundation built on generosity.
Your message will help more yacht owners realize:
“I can do something meaningful with this boat.”
And that’s exactly what BENFO was built for.
If you are a yacht owner, broker, captain, or marine professional and you’d like to learn how to donate a vessel or partner with BENFO:
👉 Visit: https://benfo.org
👉 Or contact us through the site to begin the donation conversation.
Together — with leaders like Captain Lee — we can continue transforming luxury assets into compassion, hope, and healing.
