Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is a private foundation based in Austin, TX that funds work in education, jobs & livelihoods, health innovation, financial services and community initiatives. The foundation site describes global programs and partners, hosts a grants database and scholar programs (e.g., Dell Scholars), and publishes recent news and impact updates.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
An organization working in the foundation's stated priorities (education, jobs & livelihoods, health innovation, financial services, community initiatives) that can demonstrate measurable outcomes, scalable models, and readiness for partnership or system-level work.
Good Fit
- • Clear alignment with the foundation's program areas (education, workforce, health, financial inclusion, community initiatives).
- • Evidence of measurable impact and ability to scale or be a system partner.
- • Capacity to manage larger multi-year grants or to participate in collaborative initiatives.
- • Willingness to share data and participate in evaluation or interoperability efforts.
- • Geographic relevance for national/international work or credible local/regional presence in Texas.
- • Openness to structured application and follow-up reporting through the foundation’s online process.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached 64 distinct states/territories and include international awards, with one state accounting for about 32% of dollars in the latest year, indicating broad national and international reach with some large state-level concentrations.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 676 distinct recipients and 832 grants, with 227 new recipients and 449 repeat recipients across the observed four-year window, demonstrating a wide and diverse recipient portfolio even though some dollars are concentrated in a few large strategic awards.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness is strong: a public Apply for a Grant page and Funding FAQ are available, and 227 new recipients appeared in the latest year; while the foundation makes large strategic investments to repeat partners, observed turnover and a public submission route indicate new entrants can access funding.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
