Michael and Susan Dell on Tuesday announced a sweeping $6.25 billion philanthropic commitment aimed at giving roughly 25 million children—mostly those age 10 and under who were born before the federal eligibility window—access to $250 starter deposits in so-called “Trump Accounts.”
The initiative, unveiled alongside President Donald Trump at the White House and timed with Giving Tuesday, marks one of the largest private gifts ever directed at American youth. Michael Dell, whose net worth approaches $150 billion following Dell Technologies’ surge during the AI hardware boom, said he was inspired by the scale of potential impact. Trump celebrated the announcement on Truth Social, writing, “TWO GREAT PEOPLE. I LOVE DELL!!!”
The contribution builds on the new national investment-account system created through Trump’s recent tax-and-spending package, where babies born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, will automatically receive $1,000 in Treasury-funded accounts. Families, employers, and friends can add up to $5,000 per year, with funds locked until recipients turn 18. At that point, withdrawals can support education, homeownership or business creation, or leftover balances can roll into an IRA for continued tax-advantaged growth.
The Dell family’s separate $250 deposits target children who missed the federal cutoff but live in ZIP codes with median household incomes of $150,000 or less. According to Invest America—the nonprofit supporting the program—the gift is expected to reach nearly 80% of U.S. children age 10 and under across most ZIP codes.
The Dell family, which has donated nearly $3 billion since 1999—much of it focused on education—said the scale of their latest gift grew over time. In a statement, the Dells said, “These deposits will reach the accounts of most children age 10 and under who were born prior to the qualifying date for the federal newborn contribution … Children older than 10 may benefit, too, if funds remain available after initial sign-ups.”
Michael Dell said the effort is meant to “help families feel supported from the start and encourage them to keep saving as their children grow,” while Susan Dell emphasized their hope that the investment signals that “their communities care, their government, their country cares about them.”
Susan Dell said “we’re thrilled to be spearheading this,” expressing confidence that additional philanthropists and companies will join. Michael Dell urged families and employers to contribute whatever they can so the accounts can compound alongside the market for years to come, adding: “we believe the smartest investment we can make is the one in children.”
The federal program, often referred to by the White House as part of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ restricts investments to low-cost index funds or ETFs that track the S&P 500 or “another American stock index.” With consistent contributions of $5,000 a year and modest market growth, a typical account could reach nearly $191,000 by age 18. Sign-ups will begin July 4, 2026—a date the Dells chose to align with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. Families must activate accounts, though every eligible child will receive an initial deposit automatically once enrolled. Priority for Dell-funded deposits will go to younger children if demand exceeds available funds.
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