https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/business/grady-white-boats-charity.html
6 days ago · After his sole heir died, Eddie Smith, the owner of Grady-White Boats, looked for a way to pass on his legacy. He was inspired by Patagonia to pledge future profits to charity.
https://onthewater.com/grady-whites-owner-turned-down-400-million-to-give-the-company-away-instead
4 days ago · Grady-White owner Eddie Smith rejected a $400 million sale, transferring the boat builder to a purpose trust that will send profits to charity for good.
https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/grady-white-boats-owner-chooses-charity-over-400m-payout-8386713/
5 days ago · Eddie Smith Jr., owner of Grady-White Boats, has decided pledge all future company profits to charity rather than sell the company for around $400 million.
https://fortune.com/2026/07/29/eddie-smith-jr-turned-down-400-million-offer-for-grady-white-boats-instead-giving-profits-away-to-charity-inspired-by-patagonia-founder-philanthropy/
1 day ago · Instead of selling Grady-White Boats for $400 million, Eddie Smith Jr. was inspired by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard to donate profits to charity.
https://www.reflector.com/news/local/grady-white-boats-now-owned-by-nonprofit-majority-of-profits-will-go-to-foundation/article_1e189218-a33b-403c-9441-ffca30c67c3f.html
3 days ago · New structure, same Grady-White Smith will be gifting control and ownership of the company to the Grady-White Boats Perpetual Purpose Trust and a not-yet-named 501© (4) nonprofit organization.
https://www.witn.com/2026/07/27/grady-white-owner-opts-use-company-philanthropy-instead-selling-it/
3 days ago · PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The longtime owner of Grady-White Boats has transferred ownership of the company to a purpose trust and a nonprofit, ensuring the business will never be sold and that ...
https://gardenandgun.com/grady-white-owner
2 days ago · Eddie Smith Jr., owner of the lauded boat manufacturer Grady-White, made waves in the business world earlier this week with an unexpected announcement: Instead of selling the North Carolina–based company for as much as $400 million, the eighty-three-year-old has donated its profits to charity in perpetuity, the New York Times reported.
https://www.newsbreak.com/boating-317181593/4793713934232-grady-white-founder-pledges-profits-to-charity
Smith, who purchased Grady-White in 1968 and transformed it into one of the marine industry’s most respected premium boat manufacturers, made the decision after the death of his only son and heir, Chris Smith. The ownership transition is intended to preserve the company’s independence, employee-focused culture, profit-sharing philosophy, and commitment to quality for generations to come ...
https://www.nmma.org/press/article/25582
2 days ago · Grady-White Boats has announced that owner Eddie Smith is transferring control of the company to a perpetual purpose trust, an ownership model designed to preserve the company's long-standing commitment to employees, customers, dealers and the Greenville, N.C., community while directing future profits to charitable causes.
