# Erine Gray

> Erine Gray is the Austin-based founder and CEO of Findhelp, the public benefit corporation he started as Aunt Bertha in 2010. A programmer with degrees in economics and public affairs, he previously worked on Texas public-benefits applications. His work combines a free public search for assistance with organizational software for referrals and benefits enrollment, alongside the American Compassion podcast project.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Findhelp
- **Organizations:** Findhelp, MAXIMUS, City of Austin, TED Fellows, Unreasonable Institute
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Indiana University Bloomington, Master of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs
- **Known for:** Founded Findhelp in 2010 and developed its original Austin directory and software., Led more than 40 software and operational improvement projects at MAXIMUS, with reported annual operating savings above $5 million for the Texas benefits agency., 2012 Unreasonable Institute Fellow.

## Career timeline

- **2000** — Graduated from Indiana University with an economics degree; began Austin-based programming work.
- **2004** — Earned a Master of Public Affairs at the LBJ School.
- **2005** — Worked as a project manager for the City of Austin.
- **2006-2010** — Served as a director at MAXIMUS, working on Texas public-benefits application improvements.
- **2010** — Founded Aunt Bertha, later renamed Findhelp.
- **2012** — Participated in the Unreasonable Institute.
- **2014** — Became a TED Fellow and Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar.
- **2019** — Named a TED Senior Fellow.
- **2024** — Findhelp and the LBJ School partnered on live American Compassion recordings.
- **2026** — TPG announced an approximately $250 million investment in Findhelp through The Rise Funds.

## Achievements

- Founded Findhelp in 2010 and developed its original Austin directory and software.
- Led more than 40 software and operational improvement projects at MAXIMUS, with reported annual operating savings above $5 million for the Texas benefits agency.
- 2012 Unreasonable Institute Fellow.
- 2014 TED Fellow and Aspen Ideas Festival Scholar.
- 2019 TED Senior Fellow.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Findhelp listed his September 8 appearance on The Julie Mason Show about improving the social safety net.
- **2026-03** — Appeared on Hello Longhorn in a March 30 episode about building software to connect people to the safety net.
- **2026-03** — TPG announced an approximately $250 million investment in Findhelp, with Gray discussing network and technology expansion.
- **2025-05** — Findhelp published the American Compassion season-three finale featuring Gray and other founders.

## Links

- Website: https://company.findhelp.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basicgray
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/thebasicgray
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/basicgray

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/erine-gray
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23