Introduction

Susan Dell directs the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation's $10 billion giving operation, prioritizing children's health, education and economic opportunity across the globe and at UT Austin.

What Happened

In December 2025, Susan and Michael Dell committed $6.25 billion to deliver $250 contributions to 25 million U.S. children, targeting families in ZIP codes with median incomes of $150,000 or less. The initiative aims to help children under 10 build early savings habits, distinct from the federal $1,000 child benefit for kids born between 2025 and 2028. The couple first considered limiting the program to Texas before expanding it nationwide, though their home state remains central to their giving, especially in health care.

Why This Matters

The Dells' $10 billion commitment reshapes conversations around child poverty, access to care, and the role of private wealth in public good. Their historic $1 billion lifetime gift to the University of Texas at Austin funded a new advanced research campus AI-focused medical center scholarships housing and supercomputing cementing Central Texas as a hub for family health and innovation. Beyond Austin, the foundation supports Dell Children's Medical Center and the Dell Pediatric Research Institute expanding specialized children's care and research in the region.

Key Takeaways

  • The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation manages 800+ projects yearly across the U.S., Africa, India, Israel and Texas.
  • Susan's focus areas education jobs and livelihood health reflect a lifelong passion rooted in her father's medical career and her own experiences.
  • The $6.25 billion child benefit targets low- and middle-income families giving $250 per child to encourage early savings and opportunity.
  • A $1 billion commitment to UT Austin funds medical research student support and cutting-edge computing.
  • Susan Dell is also a fashion entrepreneur endurance athlete and 2018 Texas Women's Hall of Fame inductee for Hurricane Harvey recovery work.

Conclusion

Despite giving billions Susan Dell insists the foundation is just getting started quoting in 2017: The reality is you know we're just getting started. With new child benefit programs and massive university investments the next decades promise to build on a legacy of impact across continents and generations.