Inspired by their passion for children and by a shared desire to improve the lives of children living in urban poverty, Michael and Susan Dell established their Austin, Texas-based foundation in 1999. In its early years, the foundation's work focused on improving education and children’s health in Central Texas. But within a few short years, our reach expanded, first nationally and then globally. To date, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has committed more than $700 million to assist nonprofit organizations working in major urban communities in the United States, South Africa and India. We focus on opportunities with the greatest potential to directly and measurably transform the lifelong outcomes of impoverished urban children around the globe. Learn more about our programs.

A Practical Approach to New Ideas

Our grant making approach to transforming the lives of children living in urban poverty is both pragmatic and innovative. We use metrics-based methodologies and analysis to identify where—in terms of both issues and geography—our resources can be effectively applied to produce both immediate results and long-term systemic changes that can be sustained and expanded. We work in close partnership with our grantees, and collaborate with other foundations to support new ideas that offer well-planned, data-driven strategies for improving the education, health and well-being of children today and for generations to come. Learn more about the impact of our work.