Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is a private foundation supporting education, health, livelihoods, financial inclusion, and family prosperity through grants, mission investments, and student support programs.
Build pathways that change lives.
Established in 1999 by Michael and Susan Dell, the foundation was created to support children and families facing urban poverty. Since then, Michael and Susan Dell’s giving has committed $10 billion toward nonprofits and social enterprises worldwide, with work spanning grantmaking, mission investments, and scholarship and student support programs.
The foundation combines grantmaking, mission investments, and scholarship/support programs. It uses business-based practices and performance management principles to support nonprofits and social enterprises aligned with its mission. Its funding focuses on organizations serving or impacting children and youth from urban low-income communities in education, health, and family economic stability.
The foundation reports $10 billion in lifetime giving, 800+ active projects each year, and 4 global offices. In 2024, it made $247.5 million in qualified distributions, including $163.8 million in grants and $27.0 million in program-related investments. Its annual goals include reaching millions of students, families, young adults, entrepreneurs, and classrooms.
Notable partners named in the source text include Charter School Growth Fund, Apex Education, Peepul, Funda Wande, Ed-Fi Alliance, Data Driven Districts, Dell Scholars, Dell Young Leaders, UT for Me, WeThinkCode, COOP Careers, Magic Bus, CredRight, Arthan Finance, Dell Medical School, and United Way.
The foundation states it is not affiliated with Dell Technologies and does not provide computers or related technology equipment. It supports both nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises where they align with its focus areas. The foundation also states it will not fund or continue partnerships with organizations that condone, tolerate, or conduct racist, antisemitic, hateful, or otherwise contrary activities.