https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/25/business/grady-white-boats-charity.html
Jul 25, 2026 · 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
5 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/
6 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/
3 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.
https://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/grady-white-boats-eddie-smith-purpose-trust-charity
2 days 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.
https://www.witn.com/2026/07/27/grady-white-owner-opts-use-company-philanthropy-instead-selling-it/
4 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://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.
https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/this-83-year-old-entrepreneur-is-rejecting-a-400-million-payday-grady-white-boats
3 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 ...
https://gardenandgun.com/grady-white-owner
3 days ago · Sporting Grady-White’s Owner Is Giving Away His Legendary Boat Company North Carolina businessman and philanthropist Eddie Smith has always put integrity over profit. He’s done so again in the most dramatic way yet.
