Sell the Company for $400 Million? He’s Giving It Away Instead.

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.

Grady-White's Owner Turned Down $400 Million to Give the Company...

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.

Grady-White Boats owner chooses charity over $400M payout

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.

Boat CEO rejects $400M sale for charity - MoneyWise

https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/grady-white-boats-eddie-smith-purpose-trust-charity
1 day ago · A wealthy boat builder has declined to sell his company for $400 million — not so he can keep the cash rolling in, but to funnel its profits to charity instead. “I don’t need a 200-foot yacht or to spend the winters in the Mediterranean,” says Eddie Smith Jr., CEO of Grady-White Boats, in an interview with the New York Times.

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat ... -...

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/
2 days 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.

This 83-Year-Old Entrepreneur Is Rejecting a $400 Million Payday

https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/this-83-year-old-entrepreneur-is-rejecting-a-400-million-payday-grady-white-boats
2 days ago · Eddie Smith Jr., the 83-year-old owner of Grady-White Boats, turned down a $400 million sale and instead committed the company’s future profits to charity. Smith has kept full control of the ...

Grady-White owner opts to use company for philanthropy instead...

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 ...

Grady-White Boats now owned by nonprofit; majority of profits...

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.

After Turning Down $400 Million, Grady-White Owner Transfers...

https://www.boatblurb.com/post/grady-white-owner-transfers-company-trust-nonprofit
Grady-White Boats has transferred ownership of the company into a perpetual purpose trust and an affiliated nonprofit organization, ensuring the company can never be sold while directing its future profits toward charitable causes.

Grady-White Boats Owner Eddie Smith Gifts Company Control to...

https://www.thewaterwire.com/releases/2026/07/grady-white-boats-owner-eddie-smith-gifts-company-control-to-perpetual-purpose-trust/
2 days ago · Grady-White Boats owner Eddie Smith has transferred company control to a perpetual purpose trust that will donate tens of millions annually to charity, marking the largest such transition in the U.S. marine industry. CEO Kris Carroll will lead operations while Smith assumes an emeritus role.