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
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.

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/
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.

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
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.

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/
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.

Boat CEO rejects $400M sale for charity - MoneyWise

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.

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/
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 ...

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
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 ...

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/
3 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.

'I don’t need a 200-foot yacht': Boat baron gives up $400 million...

https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/don-t-200-foot-yacht-100000158.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall
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 ...