Dell Family Invests $6.25B in Kids' Futures

In a historic announcement on Giving Tuesday, tech billionaire Michael Dell and his wife Susan Dell pledged a groundbreaking $6.25 billion to fund so-called "Trump accounts" for 25 million American children. The donation—amounting to $250 per child—aims to jumpstart savings for kids born before 2025 who don't qualify for the original government program, marking one of the largest charitable gifts in history.

What Are Trump Accounts?

The "Trump accounts" are officially known as the Invest America program, established through recent Republican legislation. These tax-advantaged savings accounts automatically enroll babies born in the U.S. between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2029. The government seeds each account with $1,000 at birth, while families, friends, and donors can add up to $5,000 annually. Funds are locked until the child turns 18 and can be used for qualified expenses including:

• Higher education or professional training
• Homeownership down payments
• Entrepreneurship ventures

At age 18, accounts automatically convert to traditional IRAs, allowing unused funds to continue growing tax-deferred.

How the Dell Donation Works

The Dells' $250 contributions specifically target children born before 2025 who are now 10 or younger. Key details include:

• Eligibility: Kids born before 2025 with U.S. residency
• Exclusions: Those already receiving the $1,000 government seed
• Prioritization: Younger children if demand exceeds funds
• Matching rules: Same 18-year lockup and qualified expense rules

"Priority goes to younger children if demand exceeds available funds," the Dells noted. "Any remaining funds may open eligibility for older children."

"We believe the smartest investment we can make is the one in children," Michael Dell told CBS Mornings. "Even a modest sum really improves their outlook on life, and they're more likely to graduate and become productive members of society."

Philanthropic Vision and Impact

The Dells—ranked among the world's wealthiest with a combined net worth of $148 billion—drew inspiration from Invest America's potential to create generational wealth. This gift builds on their foundation's decades-long focus on children's health and education initiatives.

Research shows children with savings accounts are:

• 7x more likely to attend college
• 3x more likely to own a home
• 2x more likely to start a business

Susan Dell emphasized the program's alignment with their mission: "This was going to reach a lot of children and help them have a start at a really bright future."

A Call to Action for Philanthropy

The Dells are encouraging other donors to contribute through the Invest America platform, with contributions ranging from small family gifts to major corporate sponsorships. By announcing on Giving Tuesday, they aim to catalyze a broader movement toward children's financial security.

Sign-ups for the original government program begin July 4, 2026. As the rollout approaches, the Dells' unprecedented gift stands as a testament to private sector innovation in addressing wealth inequality and building opportunity for America's next generation.