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
6 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/
Jul 26, 2026 · 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://moneywise.com/news/top-stories/grady-white-boats-eddie-smith-purpose-trust-charity
3 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.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://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://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
5 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.
