NEW YORK – Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion pledge Tuesday to encourage 25 million American children under 10 to participate in newly created investment accounts for children, established under recent federal tax and spending legislation. The initiative, announced on GivingTuesday, marks one of the largest private commitments to U.S. children in history, with few single donations exceeding $1 billion over the past quarter-century. The accounts, managed by private companies but overseen by the Treasury Department, are set to launch on July 4, 2026, symbolically coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Through their contribution, the Dells will deposit $250 into each eligible child’s account, aiming to inspire families to participate and grow their balances over time. Under the new law, the Treasury will deposit $1,000 into accounts for children born between 2025 and 2028, with funds invested in a stock market index fund. Families of older children may contribute voluntarily, and the funds can be used when the child turns 18 for education, home purchases, or starting a business. The Dells hope their gift will spark broader philanthropic support, while experts say the initiative could introduce more children to investing, though it may not immediately alleviate childhood poverty. The program will prioritize children in ZIP codes with median household incomes of $150,000 or less, and the Dells emphasized the gift’s potential to build hope, opportunity, and long-term financial growth for the next generation.