Children enrolled in Trump Accounts who meet certain income requirements will begin receiving $250 grants from the Dell Foundation this week, according to a foundation spokesperson.
The grants, funded by a massive $6.25 billion commitment from Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and his wife Susan, started being deposited automatically as early as Monday, August 31, according to CNBC News. Parents and guardians can verify their child’s eligibility through Invest America, a nonprofit advocacy organization partnering with the Dells on the initiative, and monitor account activity using the Trump Accounts mobile app.
Who Qualifies for the Dell Grant
The Dell Foundation’s $250 grants target lower-income families specifically. To qualify, children must have activated Trump Accounts and live in ZIP codes where the median household income is $150,000 or less.
The grants are available to children born between 2016 and 2024 who do not qualify for separate federal seed money provided under a pilot program. That federal program offers a one-time $1,000 deposit from the U.S. Department of the Treasury for children born between 2025 and 2028.
Trump Accounts, also known as 530A accounts, are open to any U.S. child under 18 who has a Social Security number. The accounts are designed to encourage long-term savings and investment for young Americans.
Historic Commitment to American Children
According to Invest America, the Dells’ $6.25 billion donation represents the largest philanthropic commitment ever made specifically for U.S. children. The foundation estimates the funds could provide investment accounts for approximately 25 million American children.
Michael Dell announced at an event in Austin, Texas, on Monday that the first grants had already begun moving to activated accounts for children in Texas, with distributions to children nationwide to follow.
“I’m very proud to say that, as of this morning, the first funds are already moving to activated accounts for children here in the great state of Texas, with children across the country to follow soon,” Dell said at the event, which was attended by Senator Ted Cruz.
The Vision Behind the Investment
In a previous statement to CNBC, Michael Dell explained the rationale behind the substantial commitment, emphasizing the psychological and long-term economic benefits of giving children ownership in investment accounts.
“What the research shows us, pretty clearly, is that when a kid has even a small account in their name, they start to see themselves differently, and that shows up in graduation rates, in homeownership, in the businesses they start,” Dell said. “That’s not just a financial outcome — it’s a mindset shift.”
Dell added that the couple is motivated by the potential compounding effect on the country over multiple decades. “And when you think about every kid growing up with that sense of ownership in the American economy, the compounding effect on this country over 10, 20, 30 years is tremendous and what excites Susan and me the most,” he said.
Trump Accounts Enrollment
According to the most recent figures from the Treasury Department, approximately 7 million children have been enrolled in Trump Accounts so far. This represents a fraction of the 25 million children who could potentially benefit from the Dell Foundation grants.
The Trump Accounts program was launched earlier this year during a White House event. The accounts allow families to build long-term investment portfolios for their children, with the goal of promoting financial literacy and generational wealth building.
How to Check Eligibility
Parents and guardians who believe their children may qualify for the Dell grant should take the following steps:
- Visit the Invest America website to check eligibility based on ZIP code and birth year
- Ensure their child’s Trump Account is activated
- Download the Trump Accounts app to monitor deposits and track account activity
- Verify that their address information is current in the account system
Eligible families do not need to apply separately for the Dell grant. The $250 deposits will be made automatically to qualifying activated accounts.
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The distribution of Dell Foundation grants is expected to continue in phases throughout the week as the foundation processes accounts across different regions of the country.
