Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, and his wife, Susan Dell, have been recognized on Forbes magazine’s prestigious list of the top 25 philanthropists in the United States. This ranking highlights their significant contributions to charitable causes, particularly in education. The Dells are the only Texas couple to make the list, coming in at No. 17.
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation made headlines for its commitment of $100 million to the Charter School Growth Fund in 2024. This fund currently supports more than 600,000 students across the nation, aiming to enhance school facilities and provide essential services. Since its inception, the Dells have donated approximately $2.85 billion, which constitutes about 2.6% of their net worth, estimated at $109.6 billion.
Philanthropic Impact and Comparisons
In addition to their contributions to charter schools, the Dells have allocated $1.5 billion to their foundation and an additional half billion to their donor-advised fund. However, the specific amount disbursed from that fund over the past year remains undisclosed.
Forbes calculates its rankings based on total lifetime giving through the end of 2024, along with the percentage of net worth donated. Notably, the list does not include future pledges or funds that have not yet been utilized for charitable purposes. The top position is held by Warren Buffett, who has donated $62 billion, or 30% of his net worth. Following him, Bill Gates and his ex-wife Melinda French Gates rank second for their substantial contributions to various causes.
The Dells’ philanthropic efforts place them just behind eBay founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife, Pam Omidyar, who have donated $3 billion throughout their lifetimes, representing 22% of their net worth. Another notable Texan on the list is John Arnold, who, alongside his wife Laura Arnold, has given away over $2 billion, which is more than 40% of their net worth.
Austin’s Philanthropic Landscape
Austin, Texas, is not only home to the Dells but also to Elon Musk, who, despite being the world’s richest man with a net worth of about $500 billion, did not feature on Forbes’ list. His estimated lifetime giving through 2023 stands at approximately $620 million. To qualify for this year’s list, individuals needed to have donated at least $1.9 billion.
The recognition of the Dells underscores the impact of philanthropy in the tech sector, particularly in addressing educational needs. Their ongoing commitment reflects a broader trend among wealthy individuals to engage in charitable giving as a means of fostering social change and improving community resources.
