AUSTIN, Texas—Michael Dell announced a major philanthropic initiative aimed at expanding access to investment accounts for millions of American children, saying the effort is intended to help strengthen pathways to the American Dream through long-term savings and wealth building.
Dell, founder and chief executive of Dell Technologies, said he and his wife, Susan Dell, will provide $250 for each of the first 25 million eligible children who enroll in the federally authorized investment account program known as "Trump Accounts." The commitment, valued at up to $6.25 billion, was announced over the U.S. Independence Day holiday as the program prepared for its official rollout.
In a statement posted on social media, Dell said the initiative would give more children "a real stake in our economy and a path to the American Dream," citing future opportunities including higher education, home ownership, entrepreneurship and long-term wealth creation. He described the effort as a public-private partnership designed to encourage broader participation in the investment program.
The privately funded deposits are intended to supplement a federal initiative established under legislation enacted in 2025. Under that program, the U.S. government provides seed funding for qualifying children born during a specified eligibility period, while families and other contributors may add additional funds subject to program rules.
According to details released by Dell and supporters of the initiative, the charitable commitment is designed to extend benefits to millions of children who are not eligible for the federal seed contribution, with an emphasis on expanding participation across low- and middle-income communities.
The accounts are structured as long-term investment vehicles whose assets are intended to grow over time through diversified investments. Program guidelines provide that funds generally may be used in adulthood for purposes such as education expenses, purchasing a first home or starting a business.
The announcement represents one of the largest philanthropic commitments directed toward children's financial assets in the United States. Dell said he hopes other philanthropists, companies and charitable organizations will make similar contributions to broaden the program's reach.
Supporters of the initiative say giving children an early financial stake could encourage long-term saving and asset accumulation. Critics of the broader federal program have argued that investment accounts alone are unlikely to address wider economic inequality and have questioned the policy priorities surrounding the legislation that created them.
No changes to the size of the Dell family's commitment or the program's implementation timeline were announced. Officials said eligible families would be able to begin participating as the investment accounts become available under the federal rollout.
