John and Eilene Grayken

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Lone Star Funds, Hudson Advisors

FUNDING AREAS: Addiction & Mental Health

OVERVIEW: John and Eilene Grayken do not appear to have a formal charitable vehicle, but have given generously towards addiction and mental health research.

BACKGROUND: Raised in a south Boston suburb, John P. Grayken graduated with a B.A. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Grayken is the founder and Chairman of Lone Star Funds, a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, that focuses on real estate investments. In addition, Grayken founded Hudson Advisors, a full-service asset management company. The Graykens take up residence in London.

ISSUES:

ADDICTION & MENTAL HEALTH: In 2017, John and Eilene Grayken made a $25 million pledge to Boston Medical Center (BMC) to create the BMC Grayken Center of Addiction. In 2019, the Graykens made a $10 million donation to South Shore Health System to launch the Grayken Center for Treatment, a “rapid-care unit on the existing Weymouth campus where those suffering from substance abuse and mental health problems can begin treatment.” The forces here are personal as Eilene has dealt with addiction.

OTHER: Grayken has supported his alma mater University of Pennsylvania.

LOOKING FORWARD: In his 60s, Grayken is still very much engaged in business but perhaps giving will ramp up through a formal family foundation. Away from addiction, the arts might also emerge as another interest; Eilene is a theater producer.

LINK: Lone Star Funds