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Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

Annual Giving
$308.0M
Grant Range
$48K - $8.0M

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $308 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $7.56 billion
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: $48,000 - $8,000,000+
  • Geographic Focus: United States (with focus on Greater Austin, Texas), India, South Africa, and Israel
  • Maximum Grant: Up to 10% of organization's annual operating budget

Contact Details

Website: https://www.dell.org
Phone: (512) 329-0799
Email: [email protected]
Address: PO Box 163867, Austin, Texas 78716
Application Portal: https://www.dell.org/apply/

Overview

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation was established in 1999 by Dell Technologies founder Michael Dell and his wife Susan Dell. With approximately $7.56 billion in total assets, the foundation distributed $308 million in grants in 2024—nearly double its charitable disbursements from the previous year. The foundation's mission focuses on unlocking pathways to prosperity for families and communities worldwide, with particular emphasis on children and youth from urban low-income communities. The foundation takes a data-driven, measurable-impact approach to philanthropy, managing over 800 active projects globally each year. Since inception, the foundation has given $2.43 billion to nonprofits and social enterprises. In 2024, Michael and Susan Dell were recognized on the TIME100 Philanthropy list for their transformative giving, and they contributed over $5 billion to their foundation since 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation maintains a searchable database of 568 grants across multiple focus areas:

K-12 Education Programs:

  • Quality Schools ($48,000 - $8,000,000): Supporting high-quality charter schools and innovative education programs, including the landmark $100 million commitment to Charter School Growth Fund for the Dell Catalyst fund
  • Classroom Supports: Direct interventions to improve student learning outcomes

Post-Secondary Education:

  • University Success ($300 million invested since 2004): Scholarship programs including the Dell Scholars program ($20,000 per scholar plus comprehensive support services), with 80% graduation rate within six years versus 54% national average for comparable students
  • Dell Scholars Program: Provides not just financial aid but laptops, book credits, emergency funds, one-on-one coaching, mental health resources, financial aid coaching, and career development support

Family Economic Stability:

  • Jobs & Livelihoods: Workforce development and career readiness programs (e.g., $957,000 for IT credential completion programs)
  • Financial Services: Financial inclusion initiatives and capability building

Health:

  • Health Innovation: Initiatives focused on children and families in urban poverty

Geographic Programs:

  • Greater Austin: Local community impact initiatives
  • Jewish Community: Support for Jewish causes and organizations

Application Method: Rolling basis through online portal at dell.org/apply

Priority Areas

The foundation funds social enterprises (both for-profit and nonprofit) that:

  • Directly serve or impact children or youth from urban low-income communities
  • Operate in education, health, or family economic stability
  • Demonstrate measurable impact with baseline data and clear outcomes
  • Serve populations in the United States (particularly Greater Austin), India, South Africa, or Israel
  • Show evidence-based approaches with data documenting the scope of problems addressed

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly does NOT provide grants for:

  • Individual applicants
  • Medical research projects
  • Event fundraisers or sponsorships
  • Lobbying activities
  • Endowments
  • Infrastructure projects
  • Computer equipment, laptops, tablets, or hardware requests
  • Organizations that condone, tolerate, or conduct activities that are racist, antisemitic, promote hate, or are otherwise contrary to foundation values

Financial Limitations:

  • Will not fund more than 10% of an organization's total annual operating expenses
  • Will not fund more than 25% of a project's budget

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Susan Dell, Co-founder and Chair - Established the foundation in 1999 and has guided its strategic priorities and rapid growth over 25+ years. She states: "We believe giving is the most important thing we will do in our lives."

Michael Dell, Co-founder - Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, leveraging business expertise to drive philanthropic impact

Dr. Alexander Dell, Board Member - Served since the foundation's inception in 1999; operated a private orthodontic practice in Houston, Texas for over 30 years

Executive Leadership Team

Janet Mountain - Head of Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

Regional Heads:

  • Brittany Urick - Head of United States
  • Prachi Windlass - Head of India
  • Dean Villet - Head of Africa
  • Tali Barash-Bouskila - Head of Israel

Program Leadership:

  • Chris Fraser - Head of K12 Education, United States
  • Dominic Hum - Head of University Success, United States
  • Aliya Hussaini, M.D., MSc - Head of Health Initiatives, United States
  • Sonja Demps - Head of Dell Scholars
  • Samar Bajaj - Head of Education, India
  • Sean Bastable - Head of R12 Education, South Africa

Operations Leadership:

  • Robert Lindsey - Head of Legal
  • Ben Campbell - Head of Finance & Operations
  • Leah Jenkins - Head of Talent & Culture
  • Semonti Basu - Head of Insights & Impact

Staff Size: 91 employees (as of December 2023)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation accepts unsolicited applications through a rolling online application process available year-round at dell.org/apply. Applications are accepted from both nonprofit and for-profit social enterprises.

Application Process (Three-Step Form):

Step 1 - Contact Information:

  • Applicant name, job title, work email, work phone

Step 2 - Organization Information:

  • Organization name, website, address
  • Organization type (options include: charitable trust, community foundation, social enterprise, direct service organization, non-profit company, government, private foundation, religious organization, school/education, etc.)

Step 3 - Project Information:

  • Project location (must be in United States, India, South Africa, or Israel)
  • Project focus area (Education Primary/Secondary, Education Post-Secondary, Financial Inclusion, Health & Wellness, Family Stability, Jobs & Livelihoods, etc.)
  • Type of support requested (General Operating Support, Project Support, Scale-Up Support, etc.)
  • Currency type (US Dollars, Indian Rupees, or South African Rand)
  • Requested funding amount

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • Review the Funding FAQ page before applying
  • Prepare problem statement with numeric evidence documenting scope of problem
  • Prepare baseline data and measurable outcomes showing progress from point A to point B
  • Ensure geographic and programmatic alignment with foundation priorities

Important Note: There is one unified application for all geographic regions.

Decision Timeline

After submitting the online application:

  1. Applicants are directed to a confirmation page with review timeline details
  2. The foundation reviews the application in detail
  3. Applicants receive email notification about the status of their submission

Specific decision timeframes are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by program area, grant size, and application volume.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose application success rates or the number of applications received annually. With $308 million distributed across 800+ active projects in 2024, competition for funding is likely significant.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in public materials. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplying after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's publicly stated priorities and guidance:

Strong Problem Statement: The foundation explicitly requires applicants to "identify who you are trying to help and why, and include data or numeric evidence documenting the scope of the problem affecting your target population." Successful applications provide clear, quantifiable evidence of need.

Measurable Impact: The foundation seeks organizations that demonstrate "measurable impact on the lives of children and families." Applications must show baseline data (point A) and desired outcomes (point B), with clear metrics for tracking progress. The foundation's data-driven approach means vague or anecdotal impact claims will not succeed.

Geographic and Programmatic Alignment: Projects must be located in the United States (particularly Greater Austin), India, South Africa, or Israel. The foundation only considers applications in their three core areas: education, health, and family economic stability for children and youth from urban low-income communities.

Evidence-Based Interventions: The foundation's approach emphasizes proven strategies and evidence-based solutions. Applicants should demonstrate that their approach is backed by research or has shown results in similar contexts.

Financial Sustainability: Given the 10% cap on funding (no more than 10% of annual operating budget) and 25% project cap, the foundation seeks organizations with diversified funding sources and sustainable business models. They are not looking to be the sole or primary funder.

Organizational Capacity: With 568 grants spanning from $48,000 to $8 million, the foundation supports organizations at various stages. However, all grantees must demonstrate capacity to manage the grant and measure outcomes effectively.

Urban Poverty Focus: The foundation specifically targets "children or youth from urban low-income communities." Rural programs or those serving general populations without clear focus on economically disadvantaged urban youth will not align with foundation priorities.

Recent Funding Patterns: The foundation's 2024 giving shows strong emphasis on charter school growth ($120 million, with $100 million to Charter School Growth Fund), university success programs ($300 million invested since 2004), workforce development, and health innovation. Organizations in these areas with proven track records may find alignment.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Data is king: This foundation requires quantifiable baseline data and measurable outcomes. Applications lacking numeric evidence will not succeed. Build your case around hard data demonstrating problem scope and expected impact.

  • Accept both profit and nonprofit structures: Unlike most foundations, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation explicitly accepts applications from for-profit social enterprises, not just nonprofits. If you're a social enterprise with a revenue model, don't self-select out.

  • The 10% rule limits partnership scope: The foundation will fund no more than 10% of your annual operating budget and 25% of any single project. Position your request as strategic catalytic funding, not core sustaining support.

  • Geographic restrictions are firm: Only projects in the United States (especially Greater Austin), India, South Africa, or Israel are eligible. International organizations working in other countries should not apply.

  • Urban poverty focus is non-negotiable: The foundation's explicit focus on "children or youth from urban low-income communities" means suburban or rural programs, even in eligible geographies, will not align with priorities.

  • Rolling applications favor relationship building: With no fixed deadlines, applicants can time submissions strategically. Consider reaching out to relevant regional or program heads (listed on dell.org/team) before submitting to ensure alignment and get feedback on your approach.

  • Scale matters: Grant sizes ranging from $48,000 to $8 million+ suggest the foundation supports both emerging programs and major institutional partnerships. Charter schools and university partnerships receive particularly large investments ($100 million to Charter School Growth Fund, $100 million to UT Austin over 10 years).

References

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