Jewish philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell pledge $6.25 billion to 25 million US kids

By AP 2 December 2025, 6:09 pm

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Michael and Susan Dell pose for photographs November 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell pledge $6.25 billion to provide 25 million American children under 10 an incentive to claim the new investment accounts for children created as part of US President Donald Trump’s recent tax and spending legislation.

The historic gift has little precedent, with few single charitable commitments in the past 25 years exceeding $1 billion, much less multiple billions. The Dells believe it’s the largest single private commitment made to US children.

Its structure is also unusual. Essentially, it builds on the “Trump Accounts” program, where the US Department of the Treasury will deposit $1,000 into investment accounts set up by the Treasury for American children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. The Dells’ gift will use the “Trump Accounts” infrastructure to give $250 to each qualified child under 10.

“We believe that if every child can see a future worth saving for, this program will build something far greater than an account. It will build hope and opportunity and prosperity for generations to come,” says Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, whose estimated net worth is $148 billion, according to Forbes.

Though the “Trump Accounts” became law as part of the president’s signature legislation in July, the Dells say the accounts will not launch until July 4, 2026. Michael Dell says they wanted to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence.

“We want these kids to know that not only do their families care, but their communities care, their government, their country cares about them,” says Susan Dell. “And we’re all rooting for them to have a wonderful future, a bright future, and that that’s available to them.”

Under the new law, “Trump Accounts” are available to any American child under 18 with a US Social Security number and their families can fund the accounts, which must be invested in an index fund that tracks the overall stock market. When the children turn 18, they can withdraw the funds to put toward their education, to buy a home, or to start a business.